It has been confirmed that the first ever visit to the UK of Baqoun, a Palestinian Christian Dance Group, will definitely take place this June, after difficulties with travel and obtaining visas were overcome.
There had been doubts about whether the trip would go ahead but now local organisers have confirmed that the 16 strong folk dance group from Bethlehem will arrive in the diocese on Thursday June 16th. During the ten days that follow they will lead a series of vibrant dance and drama events which combine with culture, food and conversation to bring a taste of Bethlehem and Palestine to cathedrals, churches and schools across all five Episcopal Areas of the diocese.
Leader of the planning group, Canon Gordon Dey, said “These exciting celebratory events will enable people to gain better understanding of life in Palestine - and empathise with the challenges and opportunities that exist for the Christian community.”
Venues will include Wakefield and Bradford Cathedrals, Scargill House in the Yorkshire Dales, and churches in Brighouse, Leeds and Harrogate as well as church schools. Baqoun will also perform at the prestigious Grassington Festival and, in addition, similar events will take place in the inspirational surroundings of Beverley Minister, and St John's Church Waterloo in London.
The young people will be living with families in the Bradford area, and will take time-out to visit Liverpool and Whitby. A couple of nights will be spent at Scargill in the Yorkshire Dales, where they will perform as well as offering a short lunchtime performance at the Grassington Festival.
Tickets for the nine main celebration events are just £10 each including a light Palestinian supper and are on sale now at www.baqoun.org :
June 17th 7.00 pm Wakefield Cathedral
June 19th 3.00 pm Brighouse Central Methodist
June 19th 7.00 pm Bradford Cathedral
June 20th 7.00 pm Beverley Minster
June 21st 2.30 pm St Chad’s Headingley, Leeds
June 21st 7.00 pm St George’s Leeds
June 22nd 7.30 pm Scargill House, Kettlewell
June 23rd 7.00 pm Christ Church, Harrogate
June 25th 7.00 pm St John’s Waterloo, London