Last Friday (19 June 2026), we hosted our very first cultural celebration at the Bridge Community Hut as part of our Loved & Wanted project. This was the first in a planned series of events designed to honour the rich cultural diversity of Haringey, which we will be delivering over the next two years. 

      

The event was a celebration of Latin Culture. Over a hundred people from across the community came together to enjoy Latin music, dance, food and shared experiences from across the region. There was a packed programme for residents to enjoy. People had the opportunity to try different flavours from across Latin America: traditional Latin American finger food (a big shout-out to the army of volunteers who handmade 200 empanadas!), burrito bowls, Tres Leches cake, and refreshments inspired by different regions of Latin America.

Attendees were treated to an amazing programme, including Ecuadorian dance performance, Bolivian Cueca, Dominican Republic, Palo and Salsa, all celebrating the rich traditions and colourful spirit of Latin America.   

                  

The enthusiasm of our salsa instructor proved impossible to resist as guests of all ages and abilities took to their feet to learn the basic steps of one of Latin America's most celebrated dance traditions. The event concluded with music, socialising and celebration, creating opportunities for people from different communities to connect and make new friendships.

In addition to members of the local Latin American community, we were delighted to welcome people from the Afro-Caribbean, Turkish and Somali communities, as well as immediate neighbours who had grown up in the area.

We also heard from the local charity, Latin American Women's Rights Service, LAWRS, who shared their experience.

           

We were honoured to be joined on the day by Annette Holman and Shipra Ogran from the GLA Loved and Wanted Fund, as well as the new Seven Sisters representative, Councillor Ahmed (pictured below).

         

The event was a tremendous success, with 100% of attendees reporting they enjoyed it. Guests also said that the event increased their knowledge of Latin American culture while successfully bringing people from different communities together.

The event was a fantastic reminder that wherever you are from, you are loved and wanted at the Hut in Haringey.

Kindly Funded by