Hello Everyone,

With the nights now drawing in and September just around the corner, Autumn is fast approaching like a blink of an eye. It’ll mean for our young people in the borough getting back into a headspace for the start of school next week – and for those who’ll be starting primary or secondary school for the first time it’ll be exciting and daunting all at the same time, as is the case with anything new.

That said, there’s still one more day to enjoy the last of our Summer Fun programme of events for young people taking place across the borough, including our libraries and Youth Zones; and there’s heaps of family fun activities and stuff coming up in September for all residents as well.

First off is Newham Heritage Month 2025, kicking off tomorrow with a launch event on Saturday over at East Ham Town Hall followed by a month-long programme of community inspired in-person and online events to showcase how our borough’s past has influenced our present.

With over 60 free events across the borough, funded by money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund that we secured at the Council, we’ll be showcasing the heritage and brilliance of our people.

This year’s theme is Newham at 60: a Borough like no other - as we continue our 60^th anniversary celebrations of Newham being established. As well as guided walks, tours and talks about significant moments; plus music and plays celebrating local heroes, there’s heaps on that will interest many!

There’s also the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival (GDIF) 2025 coming to Newham next weekend for a third-year running with Dancing City over at Stratford’s Town Centre and our East Bank Cultural Quarter in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park! Without doubt, the international festival is one of the most spectacular free outdoor festivals globally; and it’s where you can see extraordinary culture and creativity happening.

With 14 events taking place across the day on Saturday 6^th September, Dancing City is the most brilliant annual celebration of outdoor dance that happens in the UK, and it’s a showcase for us to highlight how investment in all forms of culture drives opportunities for our people and businesses through strengthening our visitor economy locally.

For instance, I’m looking forward to seeing ‘When Jazz Meet’s Hip Hop’ presented by the University of East London’s Dance Collective in collaboration with East London Dance – all based in Newham! 

There’s also world class performances, like Passage, by French artist Yoann Bourgeois, widely known for his gravity-defying live performances that have gone viral and his recent collaborations with Harry Styles, Coldplay and FKA Twigs. And UK-based Pagrav Dance Company returning with their London premiere of One Sky inspired by the tradition of kite-flying from rooftops infused with dance movement, music and puppetry. 

It’s important that we support world-class culture that is free and accessible to all on our doorstep, here in Newham. That’s why I’m also excited about the Royal Docks Originals Biennial Festival 2025 kicking off on Monday 15^th September, with three weeks of 50 world-class events, installations and performances that will showcase our majestic Royal Docks neighbourhood.

There’ll be Rekindling, a series of spectacular fire installations by French fire alchemists, Compagnie Carabosse who have been working with local residents; Royal Reflections and Sweet Hope by renowned artist British-Indian Chila Burman who is celebrated for her vibrant work that challenges stereotypes; a large-scale Arrivals + Departures public art installation by artistic duo YARA + DAVINA, and a botanical mural Blue Sunset by Graphic Rewilding. Read the full programme here – so head over when it starts on the 15^th September as you’ll enjoy it!

Programmes such Newham Heritage Month 2025, the Greenwich and Dockland International Festival and Royal Docks Originals provides powerful and inspiring ways of bringing communities together – through arts and culture.

Which we really need it right now, considering the awful rhetoric against people already fleeing persecution, the hostility being created against refugees; and how that’s making our communities here in Newham feel frightened. I know that in Newham we celebrate our diversity and mixed identities with pride; and we represent the best of British. 

These programmes also help attract more visitors to see first hand all the exciting things happening in our borough, and why I am passionate about pulling in investment, building fairness and creating Opportunity Newham. It’s also why I invited Professor Greg Clark CBE, a renowned expert on global cities, to visit Newham this week. He was impressed with what we’ve been delivering over at the Royal Docks and how we ensure we are creating opportunity for everyone in our borough: now and for the future.

Talking of which, until next week stay well and stay happy!

Best wishes, 

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE 

Follow what I am up to via X/Twitter: @rokhsanafiaz 

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