Worcester hosts first-ever Eurofest event at Guildhall

Eurofest is a brand new event designed to celebrate the city's European communities, with the inaugural running taking place at The Guildhall in Worcester High Street.

Crowds flocked to the city centre today (Saturday) to embrace this new event, with a range of entertainment and activities for everyone to enjoy.

From dance troupes and choirs, to food tastings, arts and crafts and language games, there was something for everyone to get stuck into.

People were getting creative with the arts and crafts workshops (Image: NQ)

Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Louis Stephen, said: "Eurofest is a great way of celebrating the cultures that have come to Worcester over many years.

"There is dancing, food, language - so it can work to serve our community.

"This is the first time it has been arranged by Worcester City Council and comes off the back of the success of Black History Month earlier this year.

"It looks as though it has been successful and proved popular, so hopefully it will remain for future years."

Amanda Kinchin and Maria Riley were helping people learn languages for the Worcester Language Exchange Group (Image: NQ)

Amanda Kinchin, who represents the Worcester Language Exchange Group, was among volunteers on hand to help people who were keen to learn a new language.

"We have tables set up and each one represents a different language," she said.

"People can come along and choose a language to learn.

"All ages are welcome, it's a very sociable event.

"This is the first time Eurofest has been held and it's a super event."

A Bulgarian dance troupe entertained the crowds outside The Guildhall (Image: NQ)

Frances Burton was the creator of the language exchange group, which has grown considerably since she started it just after Covid.

"People come for a variety of different reasons, not just to learn a language," she said.

"We've had people who have suffered bereavement, a brain injury, early onset dementia - it's about benefitting and building for the community.

"We started with a French table in a cafe and it's grown from there.

"This event is a nice way to start the weekend."

There were a host of languages on offer that people could learn, including German, Ukrainian and Italian.

Claire Harker gives Evangeline Smith a face painting (Image: NQ)

Elsewhere, there was face painting where people could have the flag of a country painted on them.

Claire Harker was on hand on apply paint onto members of the publics faces, and said: "It's a lovely event.

"It's nice to see people out and enjoying themselves and there's a nice atmosphere.

"It's great that the city does so much for visiting communities - it would be great for it to become an annual event."