THE sights, sounds and smells of the world were all to be found in Erith's town centre at the weekend for this year's Connections 2001 anti-racist festival.

The event celebrates the wide range of cultures and nationalities which make up Bexley borough.

Crowds flocked to the event to sample Jamaican jerk chicken, curried goat, fragrant Thai dishes and tasty Turkish food.

And while they sampled the food, they could watch and listen to entertainers from the four corners of the globe from Polish Roma gipsies to an Indian Bhangra band.

The global market, which took up much of the town square, featured arts and crafts.

Some were for sale, such as African carvings and delicate jewellery, pashmina shawls and Indian wedding accessories. Others were to try, like African and Indian style henna tattoos.

The day began with a parade of children, carrying painted banners and papier mache Mexican pinatas hollow sculptures containing sweets and glitter.

It ended with a stunning music-and-fireworks finale. Latin American group Too Darn Hot got the crowd in fiesta mood. Then performance art group Emergency Exit Arts brought the evening to a dramatic close.

Two fairy queen stilt walkers in illuminated dresses walked among the crowds, accompanied by samba drummers as the night sky erupted in a light show and firework display.

September 10, 2001 16:09