Movema’s Big Union brings a global celebration of dance to Liverpool

Liverpool’s vibrant community arts scene will come together this month as Movema, the city’s leading World Dance charity, hosts its annual Big Union event – a free, multicultural celebration of dance, music, and food.

Taking place at The Black-E in the city centre on Saturday 22 March from 11.00am – 4.00pm, Big Union is all about bringing people together through culture, creating a space where communities can connect, learn, and celebrate their shared humanity.

The free event will be bursting with exciting multicultural arts activities, bringing together Liverpool’s dynamic community arts organisations. There will be the opportunity to try out different dance and music styles from around the world in friendly workshops, watch live performances from exciting city artists, and try food from around the world.

Event Co-ordinator Eleanor Liverakou said:

“This is an amazing opportunity for the Liverpool community come together to experience Capoeira Brazilian Martial Art, English Ceilidh and Dabke Arabic dance also professional and community performances of Tap from Sole Rebel, Ukranian Dance from Radist, Chinese dance from Movema and more! At a time when our society is so fractured this is an opportunity to unite.

Featured artist Olena Hrabchak, who moved to UK in 2023 to escape the war in Ukraine, said:

“Our group Radist is so happy to be performing at the event, sharing our culture with our beautiful, embroidered costumes and folk dances to all people here in the UK. It’s important to me because it provides a tiny light to our people who are going through so much hardship at the moment. It will be great for people to come to the event to enjoy and share something really special between each other.”

Movema Co-Director Maria Malone said:

“Movema opens up a space where dances from all cultures are valued and celebrated and where all peoples are valued and celebrated. It’s a space of solidarity, unity and creativity. Big Union is a perfect expression of this ethos, all our participants will be present, bringing their family and friends to celebrate what they have achieved over the past year, meet new people and learn new things. Come and celebrate with us!”