FROM Bangladesh to south India, Poland, Spain and Portugal – nations across the globe were celebrated at a busy town festival.

Thousands flocked to Alexandra Park in Ipswich for the second Big Multicultural Festival.

Communities from across the town came together to share their culture – and their food – during an afternoon full of music, colour and fun.

Enjoying the event for a second year in a row, organisers are today confident it has become established as a firm fixture on the town’s calendar.

Mojlum Khan, the manager of the Bangladeshi Support Centre which organised the event, said he was delighted at its success.

He said: “We have been to several similar events across the country to see how they operate and get ideas – and we are very pleased with this.

“We have re-arranged it a bit after last year to give a bit more space and everyone seems to be having a good time.”

Members of the Bangladeshi and South Indian communities had time in the spotlight, and there were also performances by Polish, Spanish, and Portuguese groups.

More than a dozen different community groups appeared on the stage and there were also sports and other activities for all tastes – from the Ipswich Town Community Trust to a demonstration of Tai Chi.

Community groups had the opportunity to show off their work and to meet people who might need to use their services.

Mr Khan said the organisers were already thinking about next year’s event.

“All the communities are very proud of their own heritage, but want to share that with the people of Ipswich – and this is a great opportunity for everyone to come together to show that while there are different communities, there is one Ipswich.”

n Did you enjoy the multicultural festival? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk