SOCIAL, CIVIC & ECONOMIC VALUE
Community & social empowerment | Equality, diversity & inclusion
BUSINESS PARTNER BENEFITS
Business and/or brand awareness | Developing community links | Direct access to target audiences | Entertaining
The project
Established in 2019, the Sufi Festival aims to bring different communities together in a spirit of cohesion and harmony. The 2022 Sufi Festival saw more than 50 different artists deliver a wide range of activities to share and celebrate the Sufism tradition of Islamic Mysticism. Thanks to support from the C&BS Fund, and sponsorship from Esplanade Vale Media Ltd, the 2022 festival expanded from a one-day to a two-day event and included international as well as local artists for the first time.
The partnership
During the pandemic, Esplanade Vale Media broadcast a documentary about the 2019 Sufi Festival on their satellite channel British Muslim TV (BMTV). Following this 2020 collaboration, discussions began around involvement in future events. The business organisation agreed to sponsorship that included 28 consecutive days of ads leading up to the Festival and 368 minutes of live airtime over the two days of the 2022 Sufi Festival.
The positive outcomes
Over 4,000 people attended the 2022 Sufi Festival, with feedback reflecting overwhelming happiness and joy as well as improved mental health and wellbeing.
