Grassroots Leicester football club Nirvana FC to feature in documentary
A new documentary, exhibition and digital archive are to be created to celebrate the history and heritage of Leicester grassroots football club Nirvana FC. The Highfields-based club was born from the activism of the Red Star youth group in the 1980s, which was set up to provide a safe space for young people, predominantly those from black and Asian backgrounds, but not exclusively, during a time of economic challenges and racial tensions.
The club has since become a beacon of multiculturalism, advocacy and community development. Cultural arts charity Art Reach said the project had received a £43,420 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to make the project, called Passing It On: Framing the Stories of Football in Our Community, a reality.
A spokesperson for the project said: "Through a variety of community workshops, oral history sessions, photography and film, the project will connect past and present members of the club, uncovering stories that reflect Leicester's evolution as the most diverse city in the UK." The project will also highlight its ambition to become the UK's first carbon-neutral football club.
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Leicester Nirvana FC trustee Ivan Liburd said: "This project means so much to Nirvana and the communities we serve. Our roots in Highfields tell a powerful story of social action, and of what can be achieved through unity and determination."
Art Reach and Nirvana FC are working with local arts and heritage organisation Opal 22 to call on players past and present, fans of the club and local history enthusiasts to come together and create the documentary, archive and exhibition.
Paul Steele, creative director of Art Reach, said: "We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project allows us to celebrate Nirvana's story, which is one of resilience, activism, and unity.
"The voices and experiences of those who have been involved with Nirvana FC is such a crucial part of this project, and we are really looking forward to shining a light on those very personal and unique stories. We can't wait to hear what stories the community has to share.
'The project will also explore the role of grassroots football in shaping Leicester's communities and highlight the club's leadership in climate action.' Anyone who has photographs, stories, memories or memorabilia from the club's history is asked to email info@opal22.co.uk and put 'Nirvana FC' in the subject line.
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