The 22nd of June is Windrush Day, a celebration of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush and its Caribbean passengers in Britain in 1948. That year the British Nationality Act provided citizenship to people from the Commonwealth and over the next twenty years, hundreds of thousands of migrants, known as the Windrush Generation, came to these shores. Windrush Day is an opportunity to celebrate British-Caribbean culture and honour the contributions that the Windrush Generation made to this country, and as this year is it’s 75th anniversary, there are lots of events you can get involved with.
Windrush 75 at the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich is hosting two events for Windrush Day this year in partnership with the Caribbean Social Forum. Across the day itself and the family festival on the weekend, you’ll be able to join in with calypso dancing, play dominoes, hear live music from a multi-school choir, take part in creative and reminiscence workshops and more. Best of all, it’s totally FREE to attend.
Thurs 22nd & Sat 24th June 2023
Romney Rd, London SE10 9NF
rmg.co.uk
Over A Barrel: Windrush Children, Tragedy and Triumph Exhibition
To mark Windrush 75, Black Cultural Archives is hosting an exhibition that explores the experiences of Barrel Children – kids who were waiting to be reunited with their migrant parents – of the Windrush Generation. Over A Barrel: Windrush Children, Tragedy and Triumph, will touch on themes like separation, isolation, reunion and belonging, as well as the cultural and social challenges the children faced when adjusting to a new life.
Thurs 22nd June – 10th September 2023
1 Windrush Sq, London, SW2 1EF
blackculturalarchives.org
Windrush Festival at Bernie Grant Arts Centre
The Windrush Festival is back at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre for its fourth year, and this edition, offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, is absolutely packed. The programme includes live music, dance, poetry, film, art and more with performances from Pegasus Opera, Reggae Choir, Dionne Reid, Elsa James and DJ Donnie Sunshine, a special screening of The Harder They Come, an ‘Ode to David Lammy MP’ installation, and a Windrush Block Party.
Mon 19th – Sat 24th June 2023
Town Hall Approach Road, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX
berniegrantcentre.co.uk
Lewisham: About Face Exhibition
The Migration Museum in Lewisham is hosting an installation by multidisciplinary visual artist EVEWRIGHT as part of this year’s Windrush 75th anniversary celebrations. Lewisham: About Face explores his own experiences of growing up in Lewisham with parents from the Windrush generation, nods to the forgotten heroes of Lewisham’s past and present, and investigates what it means to be Black and British. With Lewisham having the highest proportion of residents identifying as Black British Caribbean in any local authority in England and Wales, the Migration Museum is the perfect site for this installation.
Until Sun 16th July 2023
Lewisham Shopping Centre, London SE13 7HB
migrationmuseum.org
futuretense: Windrush Day Special
Twice a month the Queen Elizabeth Hall at the Southbank Centre plays host to futuretense, a free showcase for the best new British and international artists. The Windrush Day special will feature drill, jazz and soca with Reptile B, David Kayode, Triniboi Joccie and Kkeda on the line-up.
Thurs 22nd June 2023
southbankcentre.co.uk
Between Two Worlds: Vanley Burke And Francis Williams Exhibition
The V&A is putting on a whole season to mark Windrush and one of the highlights is the Between Two Worlds: Vanley Burke and Francis Williams exhibition. The portraits of two Jamaican gentlemen painted three centuries apart – one of British-Jamaican photographer Vanley Burke and one of 18th century scholar and poet Francis Williams – form the centrepiece of the display that explores the ideas of Britishness and Jamaican-ness and colonial legacies. There’s also a lunchtime lecture on the exhibition on 22nd June.
Until Sun 31st December 2023
Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL
vam.ac.uk
Windrush 75: Riddim and Poetry
Head to the Museum of London Docklands for Riddim and Poetry, a night of performances, readings and discussion from poets of Caribbean heritage. The evening will explore themes of migration, home and community and reflect on the museum’s link to this history.
Tues 20th June 2023
No 1 West India Quay, Hertsmere Rd, London E14 4AL
museumoflondon.org.uk
Zinzi Minott | Many Mikl Mek Ah Mukl Exhibition
Zinzi Minott is exhibiting Many Mikl Mek Ah Mukl, which loosely translates from Patios to ‘Every little helps, all the
small pieces will come together to make something larger’, at QUEERCIRCLE, with the exhibition including a presentation of the sixth iteration of her film series ‘Fi-Dem’, made annually on Windrush Day. She first launched ‘Fi-Dem’ in response to the Windrush Scandal in 2018 and the series is an exploration of Blackness, diasporic experiences and Windrush community histories. This year, ‘Fi-Dem VI’ will be accompanied by five large-scale digital prints.
Thurs 22nd June – Sun 27th August 2023
Building 4, Design District, 3 Barton Yard, Soames Walk, London SE10 0BN
queercircle.org
Windrush Day at Brixton Village
Local graffiti artist Bunny is unveiling a mural that celebrates the legacy of the Windrush Generation in Brixton Village, which showcases the stories of 21 trailblazers who were children of the Windrush community, like Grace Jones, Gus John, Jah Shaka, Benjamin Zephania. Brixton Project and Just Vibez will be hosting an all-day party on the day too, featuring live music performances, DJs, street food, carnival models and live calypso, with another party following on Saturday evening.
Thurs 22nd June 2023
Brixton Village, London, SW9 8PS
brixtonvillage.com