Now in its 17th year, the Mayor of London’s Eid in the Square is a unique cultural festival marking the end of Ramazan – the holy month of fasting for Muslims – and this year the team are keen to make it the most diverse yet.
The call is out for London’s Turkish community to get involved. Artists, caterers and community and cultural groups are all welcome to apply, but they need to be fast if they want to feature at this year’s festival, which takes place on Saturday 7 May, as the deadline for applications is 25 March.
Eid in the Square is one of the biggest Eid al-Fitr – or ‘Şeker Bayramı’ in Turkish – events in the UK, with over 20,000 people attending the family-friendly gathering in Trafalgar Square.
The six-hour festival includes a stage programme with a great mix of traditional and contemporary acts, suitable for all generations.
There is also a popular global food festival with cuisines reflecting the diverse Muslim world, and a platform for London’s Muslim communities to share their cultural activities and offerings through stalls and fringe events.
The first Eid in the Square was held in 2006 and has ran every year since then bar the last two, which were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s back for 2022 and the organisers are keen to ensure all Muslim communities from the capital are represented, especially as their theme this year is #LetsDoLondon.
One of the few criticisms of past Eid in the Square events is that they have traditionally been targeted at those hailing from South Asia. As a result, participation of Muslims originating from Africa, the Middle and Far East, Central Asia, Turkey and North Cyprus have been far lower.
For the British Turkish community at least, that’s set to change in 2022 with the appointment of PR consultant and T-VINE Magazine editor Ipek Ozerim to the Eid Community Advisory Group (CAG). Part of her brief is to help get London’s Turkish communities fully involved.
“British Turks are an integral part of London. Our food, our culture, and our amazingly talented people add to this city’s vibrancy, so it’s great to see the Mayor of London’s event team actively seek out the Turkish community to be part of this year’s Eid in the Square. It’s going to be the best one yet!” said Ms Ozerim.
Multiple opportunities to get involved
Whether you are solo artist or band, a community group, restaurant, or trader, if you are from London’s Turkish, Turkish Cypriot and Azerbaijani communities, the Mayor of London’s Eid events team want to hear from you.
These are the opportunities for this year – go online to Eid in the Square 2022 website for more details and to complete the online form to register your interest.
Main Stage Programming
The organisers are always keen to hear from soloist, bands, dancers and performers from across the Muslim Diaspora who might offer suitable content for the main stage. Email the Mayor of London’s Eid events team with details about your act at eid@london.gov.uk
Catering Stalls
Applications are now open on our website for Catering Stalls. Eid in the Square are looking for a range of hot and cold offerings from across the globe to fill the Square with wonderful colours and smells!
Trading Stalls
Do you want to promote your organisation at Eid in the Square? Head to the event website for more information on how you can secure a Commercial, Charity and Community Stalls.
Art and Cultural Proposals
We are looking to fill the Square with exciting Muslim art, craft and cultural activities. If you think you could offer something exciting please head to our website and send us your proposal.
Main photos, top, from Eid in the Square: woman playing darbuka in 2018 event and Nelson’s Column lit up for 2021. Both photos © Mayor of London
