Sarah Steenhorst from Metal has been having conversations with people from Peterborough about their experiences, stories and ambition for culture in Peterborough. She asked our interviewees 4 questions, that helped inform the steering groups recommendations. We encourage you to think about these questions as well and share your answers with us! We will release a video every other week, enjoy watching them!
How would you describe Peterborough if it was an animal?
Describe (3) things you like about culture in Peterborough
What are the (3) things you would like to change or add to Peterborough?
What does culture and creativity mean to you?
See here what other people have said
Who we have interviewed
- Ferzena Kusair (she/her) works with many communities in Peterborough. She is the positive action officer at Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Services where she encourages cultural change and inclusion whilst also working with Peterborough Presents as a community engagement coordinator to promote activity and conversations in communities.
- Leia Ankers (she/her) is a young, emerging British documentary and portrait photographer based in Peterborough. Leia is drawn to uncovering locations and people that can be seen as normally inaccessible.
- Emily Hale (she/her) one to one support worker at a primary school in Peterborough and during lockdown set-up AS dramatics, an accessible performance platform for people with disabilities and additional needs.
- Marko Stark (he/him) is a project coordinator at Compas Charity based in Peterborough, who work with the Roma community. He is originally from the Czech republic, and has lived in Peterborough most of his live.
- Judita Grubliene (she/her) is the chair of the Lithuanian Community Association in Peterborough and a poet who works with a range of communities setting up and supporting art projects.
- Julie Fernandez (she/her) is entrepreneurial, disabilities rights activist and British actress and model, born with osteogenesis imperfecta based in Peterborough.
- Phoenix Hart (they/them) is a British non-binary activist and young comedian from Peterborough who has worked with Peterborough Pride since 2017.
- Faith Falayi (she/her) is Peterborough’s first Young Poet Laureate, aiming to share her passion for poetry and inspire a new generation of young poets. Through the power of words and imagination, she uses her work to promote self-expression, bridge divides and bring communities together.
- Xidus Pain (he/him) is a multi-disciplined Rap Artist and workshop leader based in Peterborough who delivers inclusive learning and skills development for people from different ethnic backgrounds.
- Ratilal Joshi (he/him) is the chair of Peterborough Diwali Festival Committee
- Fasiha and Madiha Ashiq (she/her) are twin sisters and artists based in Millfield, Peterborough, who run their own ‘biscuit and flavour business as they love to bake and paint and getting involved with communities in Peterborough.
- Tony Nero (he/him) is a Peterborough based artist who is very active in Peterborough artists and voluntary sector. Promoting Peterborough’s art scene and celebrating Peterborough diversity.
- Louise Roe (she/her) is the Manager at Paston Farm Community Foundation, which is a Community Centre in Paston, with outside space, onsite cafe, room hire, and growing community garden.
- Dan Butt (he/him) grew up in Peterborough surrounding areas and now lives in the city, he is an early career artist who has been involved with the Who’s Culture commission working with Kate Genever informing the cultural strategy.
- Madhu Manipatruni (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist living in Peterborough, she was involved with the Who’s Culture commission, where she talked to Woman of Colour about their experiences of culture in Peterborough.
- Aryana Ramkhalawon (she/her) is an actress who together with Vicky Wild was commissioned as a part of the Who’s Culture commission, committed to telling the stories of ambitious people from rural areas through a multi-faith/multi-cultural lens.
- Kristine Vaivode (she/her) is a Latvian artist in Peterborough who was involved with the Who’s Culture commission, for this commission Kristine worked with people from the Latvian community to create a visual journey of their stories and traditions.
- Sury Dhanecha (he/him) is a retired accountant who is actively involved in the voluntary sector and does a lot of charity work in Peterborough, such as working with the homeless community.
- Anne Birchenough (she/her) is retired and lives in Peterborough as an active citizen, who is involved in the voluntary sector in Peterborough, making sure our cultural gardens look great!
- Sharifa Hughes (she/her) and Hattie Smith (she/her) are young people in Peterborough interested in arts and culture, they recently did a work experience at Metal, where they helped out and learned more about how to work in the arts.
