EASTROP Park came alive with multicultural festivities as families were given an insight into the borough’s rich cultural heritage.

As part of the opening weekend of the Basingstoke Festival, visitors to the park were treated to musical performances, dance routines and artistic displays from across the globe in the annual World Party event.

Now in its seventh year, the event, organised by the Basingstoke Multicultural Forum (BMF), featured Hungarian dance, a Russian children’s choir, Bollywood dance, Irish folk dance, Nepalese dance, hip hop and many more.

Other highlights of the event on Saturday, June 17, included a variety of workshops in yoga, henna body art, and a range of activities for children.

Toju Ogbe, a trustee of BMF said: “World Party provides a great platform for social contact amongst the various communities in Basingstoke. We are really pleased with the turnout and show of cohesion between the different cultural groups; it is a testament to the broadminded character of Basingstoke.”

This year’s World Party was organised with support from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Achievers Academy, StageCoach, Arts Council England, Gurkool and Hampshire Indo-British Society.

Mr Ogbe added: “We are profoundly grateful to our volunteers and sponsors for another successful World Party event and we look forward to more support to make the event bigger and better in the future.”

Basingstoke Festival runs until July 9 when it closes with Basingstoke Live. For a full list of festival activities, visit basingstokefestival.co.uk.