Across all campuses, we hosted MACFEST events on Thursday 24th March with our Student MACFEST Planning Committee organising and helping to run student activities based around Muslim culture and arts. We had 776 different students partaking in activities such as Henna design, music, food, and artwork.
At Cheadle College there was a real atmosphere of celebration with student attendees “bright and glowing with pride”. Food was donated by the Royal Nawaab to provide a fantastic buffet lunch.
At Altrincham and Stockport campuses, the MACFEST Cake went down very well, and our media students conducted interviews and helped out throughout the event.
Across the events we had 35 wonderful pieces of Muslim artwork on display in the pop-up galleries. These pieces were chosen by students.
“It was particularly great to see staff showing the students around the pop-up art gallery and seeing how engrossed they were in the stories of each piece.” – James Scott, Principal & CEO of the Trafford College Group
Qaisra Shahraz FRSA MBE, founded MACFEST in 2017, since then they have celebrated over 70 events, connecting communities locally, nationally and around the world. Their mission: celebrating arts, diversity and connecting communities. #SpreadHoneyNotHate.
MACFEST have partnered with several other festivals, schools, colleges, universities and iconic venues over the years including the British Muslim Awards, the University of Manchester, the High Sheriff Award, the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, The Guardian, Asian Leader, Manchester Evening News and many more.
We were delighted that Qaisra was able to visit Stockport, Cheadle and Trafford campuses for the opening of the events.
“A big thank you to everyone involved in this week’s TCG Muslim Arts and Culture Festival,not least MACFEST themselves, Michelle McLaughlin, the Student MACFEST Planning Committee, and the many colleagues who ensured it was such a success.” – James Scott, Principal & CEO of the Trafford College Group.