Mice March on Greater Manchester!

April 25th, The Lowry, Salford Quays

On Thursday 25th April, 300 children from across Greater Manchester led by Sitakumari (in red costume above) and dancers of the Heartstone Company ‘Moving Lives Dance Theatre’ to the sound of Indian dhol drummers set off on a procession at The Lowry to mark the start of a new journey – to fight prejudice, intolerance and hate and celebrate all that brings us together.

The event marked the start of the project across Greater Manchester now reaching almost 100 groups across the region in schools, libraries, community centres, museums and other venues, who are reading the book at the centre of the project, The Heartstone Odyssey and using it as their vehicle to bring to the surface these issues and how they are impacting on their own daily lives. Sitakumari said:

“The Heartstone Odyssey is a gripping epic adventure but also a moral tale for our time. The books have been written to entertain, a story for children, that adults too, can enjoy and, as with all great timeless stories, will leave you seeing the world in a different way forever, to see past stereotypes and prejudice, to see a common humanity.”

Using the book as inspiration, children created mouse masks, to represent the principal mouse characters of the book, who are not daunted by enormous obstacles to reach their goals, and carried slogans, flags and banners as they set off on their march around The Lowry building. This was the first time a Heartstone Odyssey procession has taken place in the north west and every bit as inspirational as similar processions taking place last year in London and other parts of the country.

A few comments from those who were there:

“It was an amazing event and we all really enjoyed it.“

“The children really enjoyed the event and were proud to be a part of it. It really reinforced all the issues we have been discussing as we read the story and the importance behind these issues.“

‘The Heartstone has taught me that just because we are different, it doesn’t mean that we can be violent. The parade was very fun to do and prepare for.’ Casey

‘I think the procession was very inspirational and it encouraged people to stop racism and change our WORLD!’ Jay

‘The Heartstone Oddyssey is a really a good book. It made us Stop and think about hate crimes and the effects of racism. We also enjpyed the parade, we made colourful banners and flags to represent different countires and cultures. It was lots of fun.’ Archie

Above: the event closed with a dance performance by Sitakumari and the dancers who had led the proccession taking one of the sections of The Heartstone Odyssey. The story starts with the Asian heroine, Chandra, a dancer who will find herself at the centre of the centuries old prophecy surrounding the magical Heartstone.

Above: young people from Ellesmere Park High School, Salford, with their slogans for the procession.

Above: to represent the unity and harmony of people across the world as depicted in the story, children made flags to represent many countries.

Essential to the success of the day, including managing the several hundred children taking part, was the involvement of four dancers, all drawn from Liverpool Hope Uni and coming together for the occasion as ‘Moving Lives Dance Theatre’. All four helped to organise the procession and take care of the guests on the day. Louise Hand (in yellow costume) and Diana McCourt (turquoise blue and red costume) in addition performed at the end of the event with Sitakumari

To support the children. the last part of the procession included representatives of the Faith Network for Manchester(FN4M) including the many different faiths across Greater Manchester and other interfaith networks across the region including the Muslim Jewish Forum for Greater Manchester. The event was undertaken by Heartstone with their support, emphasising the purpose of the Heartstone project in Greater Manchester to challenge all forms of intolerance and hate and bring people together. Also present were representatives of Wythenshawe Housing Group, Jigsaw, Rochdale Borough Housing, First Choice Homes who have all supported the project alongside the authorities to bring the involvement of children and families in the areas they reach.

Executive Committee members for the Muslim Jewish forum, Jackie Harrison and Seamus Martin both took part. Jackie Harrison read out the following statement on behalf of the Forum:

I commend the organisers for putting on this event today. Unfortunately there has been another attack on more innocent people in yet another continent
When such atrocities happen we must stand side by side and show to the world that there are more kind, fair, tolerant people than evil, bigoted people in this world. When atrocities do not happen we must still work together and show that there are more decent, loving people around than hate filled ones
There is nothing to be gained by staying in one’s own circle but everything to be gained by mixing with people of all faiths and cultures and learning from each other
Cllr Heather Fletcher (Forum Co-Chair of Muslim Jewish Forum)

The event was very well supported by Salford’s leaders and included representatives of the boroughs of Greater Manchester

Above: Jackie Harrison speaking, Sukhbir Singh of Faith Network for Manchester, Sitakumari of Heartstone and Seamus Martin.

Above: The Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Cllr Ronnie Wilson, welcomed all the boroughs of Greater Manchester and made reference to the children being the future bringing hope.

Below: The Deputy City Mayor of Salford, Cllr John Merry, spoke of the value of a fantasy story, such as The Heartstone Odyssey, in providing a vehicle to look at and understand the very real issues of today, to explore what is real and what isn’t, to increase understanding and empathy and build bridges across nationalities, cultures, races, faiths and backgrounds. He said:

“300 young people from different faiths, cultures and backgrounds taking part in a procession in Salford sends out a very powerful message of unity. Young people are the future of this great region and we must continue to provide unique opportunities like this project that they are able to take part in.”

Below: Samah Khalil, Youth Mayor Elect for Oldham, speaking at the opening of the event. It was the Youth Council in Oldham who had initiated the project across Greater Manchester with their timely grant in October last year which has enabled the project reading the book to be extended beyond schools now reaching libraries, community centres, museums and other locations which reach the age group 9-12 and their families. What was started in Oldham has now been extended across Greater Manchester and has become the inspiration for many new Heartstone projects across the UK.

Below: Rabbi Warren Elf, Director of Faith Network for Manchester speaking at the opening ceremony of the need to put aside differences and work together. He said:

‘The Faith Network for Manchester is delighted once again to support and work with the Heartstone Odyssey Project in Greater Manchester to engage with children to promote the message of kindness and compassion amongst neighbours and communities, which is vital to the wellbeing of all of us.

The Heartstone Odyssey teaches everyone, but particularly children and young people, the values which we should all live by – tolerance, understanding, respect and love for one another. The message is delivered in such a joyful and moving way and we are excited to be working with Heartstone again to see

this exciting project grow and develop in the region.’