'Powerful' Thousands attend Govanhill International Festival and Carnival
They gathered at over 50 events in 23 venues and outdoor spaces across ten days in Glasgow's Southside.
The festival, which is now in its ninth year, continues to grow following its initial inception as a joyful response to racist attacks that took place in 2017.
35 artists took part in the finale of the festival on Sunday, as Govanhill Street Music Festival set up five stages along Victoria Road, Westmoreland Street and the Cooperage.
Maz and the Phantasms, Diljeet Kaur Bhachu, Aleena, Decades of Dub, Girobabies and Randa Jarrar were just some of the highlights from line-ups arranged by Love Music Hate Racism, Duende, Snack Magazine, and Cargo Signs.
On Friday and Saturday, Govanhill Book Festival brought Nicola Sturgeon, Chris McQueer, Peter Mohan, Shane Johnstone, Martin O'Connor, Dareen Tartour, Mohamed Mousa (Gaza Poets Society) and Randa Jarrar to a packed auditorium where topics spanned Scottish politics, incel culture, poetry and Palestine.
81 languages are spoken within the Govanhill area and the festival shared Irish, Gaelic, Jewish, Roma, Palestinian, American, East and South-East Asian, Caribbean and Ethiopian cultural moments, all rooted in a sense of creativity, neighbourhood and activism.
Thousands attend Glasgow Govanhill Festival and Carnival (Image: Rob Reid)
READ MORE: Govanhill festival returning to Glasgow for ninth year
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READ MORE: Incredible pictures from Govanhill International Festival parade
Running through the festival programme was this celebration of activists and activism. From Mary Barbour, Cathy McCormack, Glasgow's Women on Strike, Glasgow's Anti-Racist History, Welcome to the Fringe: Palestine, and the hundreds of people who marched in the parade, the festival foregrounds those who stand up to injustice, fight against inequality, and support their neighbours.
Organised by Govanhill Baths Community Trust, this year's festival unfolded as the Baths undergo major renovation, transforming into a Wellbeing Centre, shaped by over two decades of community action since the 2001 occupation of the site following Glasgow City Council's decision to close the Baths – this became the longest-running occupation of a public building in British history.
Simone Stewart, Arts & Heritage Manager, said: 'This year's festival was a powerful reminder of what happens when creativity and community come together with purpose.
"In a neighbourhood shaped by resistance and solidarity, we celebrated the voices, cultures and stories that make Govanhill what it is.
"A heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part, contributed, performed, organised, and showed up — this festival belongs to all of you.'
Karen Dick, Head of Place, Partnerships and Communities at Creative Scotland, said: 'It's wonderful to witness a vibrant celebration of cultures and creativity so deeply rooted in the heart of the Govanhill community.
"Bolstered by Multi-Year Funding via the Scottish Government, Govanhill's unique tapestry of languages, stories, and activism comes alive, making this festival much more than just an event, but a powerful movement that gently reshapes how we understand and experience culture across Scotland.'
Govanhill International Festival and Carnival will return for its tenth year in 2026, with the annual parade and carnival taking place on Saturday 1 August.
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