Closer to Cultures
Edinburgh Multicultural Festival presents its 2026 Closer to Cultures programme of performances and workshops in city libraries!
With a programme of music, dance and storytelling we will take you to China, Japan, South Asia and South Africa and all the tickets are free for you, your friends and family, not to mention the neighbours! Bring everyone along to Your Library to experience the mesmerising dance choreography from across China, to musical and dance stories from the picturesque city in a mountainous region of Japan called Gujo, to hypnotizing rhythms and moves from India, and let your heart and feet feel the unstoppable rhythms of the African drum. The Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association, Mio Shudo, Ahalya Dance Academy with Preetha Nirmala and African Connections-own Morgan Njobo are coming together to share their stories captured in music and dance and bring you Closer to Cultures, World Cultures!
In the Autumn/Winter Season, we also invite you to explore Edinburgh’s legacy linked to the colonial history by joining the Salty Seas performances and workshops hosted as part of Black History Month.
Book your free tickets for the selected dates and locations:
2026 Closer to Cultures: Spring/Summer Season
11 Apr 12-1:30pm - Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association with cultural dance programme at Muirhouse Library
9 May 12-1:30pm - Edinburgh Chinese Arts Association with cultural dance programme at Stockbridge Library
5 June 3-4:30pm - Mio Shudo - Japanese Storytelling, Music and Dance at Ratho Library
3 July 3-4:30pm - Mio Shudo - Japanese Storytelling, Music and Dance at Origami at Wester Hailes Library
7 Aug 3-4:30pm - Music Performance and African Drumming Workshop with Morgan Njobo at Gilmerton Library.
2026 Closer to Cultures: Autumn/Winter Season
5 Sept 12-1:30pm - Music Performance and African Drumming Workshop with Morgan Njobo and Ramcise Modie at Stockbridge Library
10 Oct 12-1:30pm - Black History Month Special: Salty Seas Musical Theatre performance followed by African music workshop at Ratho Library
24 Oct 12-1:30pm -Black History Month Special: Salty Seas Musical Theatre performance followed by African music workshop at Wester Hailes Library
6 Nov 3-4:30pm - Ahalya Dance Academy and Preetha Nirmala with Indian classical dance and music at Gilmerton Library
4 Dec 3-4:30pm - Ahalya Dance Academy and Preetha Nirmala with Indian classical dance and music at Muirhouse Library
The programme is hosted by Edinburgh Multicultural Festival in partnership with Edinburgh City Libraries with support from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland Awards for All Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.
