Windrush Day 75th Anniversary at Birmingham Rep

Blackstory Partnership and Birmingham Rep present
WINDRUSH DAY – 75TH ANNIVERSARY 

Birmingham’s Blackstory Partnership and Birmingham Rep have today announced a special event marking the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day on Thu 22 Jun from 5pm. All tickets are priced at £5 and are on sale now at birmingham-rep.co.uk.

In recognition of the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day, this celebratory event will acknowledge Birmingham’s Windrush Generation who contributed to the rebuilding of England, paving the way for future generations.

BBC West Midlands radio presenter, Nikki Tapper and Mykal ‘Wassifa’ Brown MBE will host this prestigious one-off event. The program includes a performance by a newly formed children’s choir, The Next Generation Choir Birmingham, a variety of guest speakers, presentations, including the unveiling of the Windrush Memorial Statue at Waterloo Station in 2022 plus the Windrush Pioneer Award Ceremony. The evening will culminate with a jamboree of music from the 50’s to modern day from Wassifa Sound System. 

Audrey Hayles-Parkes from Blackstory Partnership said; “This year’s National Windrush Day is of great significant as it marks the 75th anniversary of the Generation’s presence and contribution to the fabric of the country.  We are pleased to host the anniversary event at such a prestigious venue and hope our guests are enthused by the evening’s content.”

Sean Foley and Rachael Thomas, Birmingham Rep Artistic Director and Executive Director said; “It is an honour for The Rep to be working with our friends at Blackstory Partnership on this very special event to mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush Day. Every one of us can celebrate the huge economic, social, and cultural contribution that the Windrush generation and their descendants have made to Birmingham and the nation. To be hosting this evening on our main stage is a privilege - we will be coming together to remember an extraordinary generation.”

Jamaica was under British rule when World War II devastated the United Kingdom. England called out to the people of the West Indies to help rebuild the ‘Mother’ country and we responded. On the 21st June 1948 The SS Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks, on 22nd June the passengers (many from Jamaica) disembarked the ship. The mass migration from West Indies to England is known as the Windrush Generation. In 2018, the government announced the 22 June as National Windrush Day of observance.

This celebratory and uplifting event will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation and their descendants.

Windrush Day – 75th Anniversary will take place at Birmingham Rep on Thu 22 Jun. To book tickets visit Birmingham-rep.co.uk, call 0121 236 4455 or visit the box office during opening hours.*