West Cumbria’s first Culture Bazaar has been hailed a success as hundreds turned out to enjoy dance, music and food from around the world.

Culture Bazaar West, held at Workington Academy on Sunday, was organised by Multicultural Cumbria to bring people from diverse communities together to share their similarities and celebrate differences.

Activities included dhol drumming, Bhangra dance, cookery demonstrations, kite making, storytelling, origami, clog dancing, Bharatanatyam Indian classical dance and a cake competition to mark International Cake Day.

There was also a DJ and an Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra.

Saj Ghafoor OBE, the chief executive of Multicultural Cumbria, has run similar events in Carlisle since 2007.

She said: “It’s important to engage people with different diasporas and cultures. You can’t change people’s perspectives if they are never exposed to different cultures.

“Culture Bazaar is about bringing everybody together, having a party and celebrating how diverse we are. It’s a free event and it’s accessible to everyone no matter what their background is.”

Cumbria has become more diverse in recent years. There are now more than 80 nationalities living and working in the county while more than 70 languages are spoken in Cumbrian schools.

Yvonne Reay-Bennett, 60, from Great Broughton, is involved with West Cumbria Refugee Support Network and brought an Afghan mother and her five children to the Bazaar.

She said: “They were nervous. Apart from going to school, they haven’t been in a social situation like this. But everybody is friendly, everybody smiles and says hello. It’s a safe space. There isn’t anywhere like this where families can come together and share their experiences.”

Maria Laskarzhevska, 32, is a refugee from the war in Ukraine living in Crosby, near Maryport, with her six-year-old daughter.

She was selling hand-crafted plywood objects made by her husband who remains in Ukraine doing humanitarian work. The sale proceeds go to support Ukrainians who have fled Russian-occupied territory.

She said: “It’s good to be able to meet different people and to remind people about Ukraine – that it’s still terrible there and nothing has changed. “I came [to live in Cumbria] because it’s safe for my daughter here. I don’t know whether or when we will ever go back.”

Petr Musil, 48, originally from Czechia, now living in Little Broughton, was there with his partner and their two-year-old son.

He said: “We don’t know many people but today we’ve met lots of other families. If the Bazaar comes next year, I might organise a Czech stall.”

Elaine Rémy, from Windermere, runs Vie’s Jamaican Rum Cakes. She said: “Vie was my mum, part of the Windrush generation. I started baking to keep her legacy going.

“I’ve loved talking to people who try the cakes and smell the different rums. I tell the story about my mum, which is really important to me.”

Joy Dale, from Carlisle, led an African dance workshop. She said: “I’m showcasing African culture and dance, modern and traditional.

“It’s a chance for people to try something different and get a feel for my Nigerian heritage, and it’s a fun way to exercise and improve your stamina.”

Janet Wilson, 64, from Aspatria, was an enthusiastic participant in Joy’s workshop. She said: “It was really fun. The whole event has been better than I expected.

“There are more people and a lot more stuff going on. I’ve loved trying the different foods and I would definitely come back.”

Culture Bazaar West was made possible thanks to the support of its sponsors Family Connector Project, Cumbria Education Trust, Sellafield Ltd, Cumberland Council, The National Lottery Community Fund, Cumbria Community Foundation, Lamont Pridmor, Helping Hands volunteering project for Cumbria and McMenon Engineering Services.