AN EVENT celebrating Barry’s rich international, multi-cultural heritage and future will be held in Merthyr Dyan Cemetery and chapel, in Barry, on Sunday, September 1.

The cemetery tours, which also aim to learn lessons from history will take place from 2.30pm to 4pm and from 4pm to 5.15pm.

The commemorative event features music, history, poetry and stories.

It marks the centenary of when Barry witnessed race riots in 1919

The historical tour of the Cemetery starting at 2.30pm will explore the many different graves from around the world dating back to the town’s earliest days along with a moment of reflection at the graves of the victims of the race riots.

Following the cemetery tour at 4pm a special celebration event is being held in the Merthyr Dyfan Cemetery Chapel featuring some of the town’s outstanding musicians, poets and storytellers.

It will salute a Barry community of 2019 that celebrates its shared humanity, internationalism, a town of citizens standing united against racism, division and intolerance.

The event is organised by a number of local people coming together, anxious for the community to learn the lessons of history and their significance and relevance for today, including Andy Green, of the Barry IdeasBank, musicians Andy Johnson and Paul Rebane, and Nic and Shirley Hodges who organise the town’s Victorian Barry Dock walks.

Barry’s history is one of incomers from all parts of the world moving to establish the town as it is today.

In 1919, Barry, along with other dock towns in Liverpool and Cardiff, witnessed race riots.

Driven by high unemployment, insecurity and a fear of foreigners there were killings, mobs on the rampage with a blind hatred for anyone of a different colour or creed.

Mr Green said: “The story of our town is of people coming together to create a community that strives to work, play and live in harmony - yet it is a story with a terrible scar.

“The centenary of the Race Riots of 1919 is a time for reflection.

“We must learn the lessons from our history to avoid making mistakes for future generations.

By remembering our past we can build a stronger, united community for today - and tomorrow.”

“‘Tolerance through Remembrance’ will be an inspiring call to action for today’s generation, to learn the lessons from our forefathers and reflect on what is good in our world of today.

“It will celebrate what binds our community together, our shared hopes for a better future, to prevent fear and uncertainty ever escalating into blind hatred and repeating the tragedies of our past.”

The event is free, but register to take part at eventbrite.ie/o/andy-green-13662001224