A FREE arts festival to celebrate Asian women's culture brought together young women's groups from all over Lancashire, at the New Era Centre, Accrington, on Saturday.

The celebration, called 'Aaj Ki Aurat,' which means Women of Today, was co-ordinated by Lancashire County Council's Youth and Community Service and featured a special appearance from renowned performance poet SuAndi, who was recently awarded an OBE in the Queen's 1999 New Year's Honours List.

Visitors had the chance to take part in henna hand painting and face painting workshops.

Mioshi, a Ghanaian drummer and storyteller, held a special percussion workshop and Saba, a contemporary Asian dancer, gave a special performance.

Artistic displays and performances were also given by The New Era Young Women's Group; Hyndburn, Haslingden Young Women's Group; Rossendale, Stoneyholme and Danehouse Women's Group; Burnley, Action Factory Community Arts; the Libraries Service and Women's Groups from Lancaster, Pendle, and Blackburn with Darwen. Mid Pennine Arts and East Lancashire Asian Arts Forum (ELAAF) also supported the event.

County Councillor Hazel Harding, chairman of the education and cultural services committee, said: "Aaj Ki Aurat was an exciting day of dance, poetry and drama. The event brought together some of Britain's most renowned performers and women's groups from across Lancashire and a wide range of artistic styles were on display."

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