Meaning of Christmas in the 3DJOY Festival
By: Marybel Salis
Tags: New Year, Christmas, Community Engagement, Santa Claus, Resolutions

Although we are a multi-faith group and not everyone will celebrate Christmas, we are have been thinking of those many residents who live alone and away from their families and friends.

We have befriended people who are vulnerable and digitally isolated and made sure to use the phone and post as well as hand delivered cards and gifts to remain connected.

Our Muslim friends have shared how they enjoy Christmas, the food, decorations and the general cosy celebratory atmosphere.

Our aim is to bring people together through art and to create a series of virtual live events and opportunities for people to connect, interact, learn and also buy or sell some unique gifts in a mini seasonal festive market.

Grenfell Tower is always in our hearts and we have several members taking part in weekly faith led meetings where the news on the developments of the inquiry are carefully analysed and discussed weekly.

Green Shoots,(the Grenfell Foundation )is supporting our next event with a small grant to produce a fun activity to benefit the local North Kensington community.We also have received some contributions and attention from the rest of London, France, Italy and Spain.

One of the most successful topics of our WhatsApp research and discussion group was the real meaning of Christmas and the wish that the same kindness and cheerfulness could be sustained for the rest of the year.

Some team members were curious to find out more about foods, memories and traditions from around the World.

Elleni, our Community Leader and IT inclusion Director, is a Christian and she likes how this is a time of the year were most people do their best to help others. Also she enjoys the spiritual preparation for the New Year.

Rafia shared that she feels Joy when everyone is different but living in perfect harmony without jealousy or animosity. We share that same dream of a perfect blend of different individuals working and living together.

Our Video Editor and Graphic Designer Federica shared her love for light, brightness and magic. She will participate to the online festival with her melancholic video in memory of her beloved father and tell us about the Presepe: an important tradition of the Neapolitan culture — the artisans Nativity.

Razeena shared the memory of visiting Bethlehem in December as they were erecting a Christmas Tree and the mixed interfaith community was living harmoniously.

Minna shared about the Finnish Christmas where Santa lives and surprised us with the idea of an ice cold swim and fancy foods like Lipea-Kala and Joulutorttu.

Francesco from Tuscany shared his Christmas decorations, breakfast recipes and other festive pictures from Chelsea and Milan.

Another talented resident in North Kensington is Zetta who sent us a beautiful video of a dreaming Mini Diorama shabby chic bedroom.

We have also received various videos and pictures of work in progress and we have been joined by pets Ziggy the starcat and Ciro & Tyra the superstar family.

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Be Marry xxx