A NEW contemporary art space will open in Derby this week, to mark India independence day on Thursday (15) and "celebrate togetherness".
Derby city-based charity Artcore will launch its new city centre location this week, with hopes that it will have a further impact on the local community using visual art.
The upcoming months will see the New Building used as a project exploration space. It will be transformed into a “modern gallery exhibiting local, national and international contemporary art” as well as supporting and showcasing local artists.
It will also feature art workshops for all ages, family activities, events, talks and performances from internationally renowned artists.
Guests are invited to join in the celebrations with a range of creative activities and refreshments on offer.
Founders Ruchita Shaikh and her husband, Zahir have said they hope the space can help to engage with socially disadvantaged groups.
“All we ever wanted was to give socially disadvantaged people the chance to enjoy art and help nurture their talents, health and well-being,’ explained Shaikh, Artcore’s executive director. “Since the start, by offering inspirational creative art programmes, we’ve successfully engaged with some of society’s most vulnerable people. And today, I think we can say that we’ve achieved what we set out to do.”
The pair initially moved to Derby from India ten years ago. Soon after they settled, the couple launched the charity. They hope that their story can help to inspire others and highlight the successes of migrants who come to the UK.
“It’s been a journey, I can tell you that,” Zahir, Art Director of Artcore, said. “But ten years on, we could not be happier.”
The launch will take place on Thursday from 11am to 1pm at Albert Street, Osnabruck Square
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)