The theme “Free To Be Me” celebrates the diverse experiences of those with South Asian heritage.
It focuses on sharing similarities, honouring differences, and providing a platform to highlight diverse voices. This theme emphasises pride in our identities, recognising that not everyone feels free to be themselves, and stresses the importance of educating ourselves and others.
Jasvir Singh CBE, Co-Founder of South Asian Heritage Month, says: “South Asian Heritage Month has grown massively since it was launched as a national awareness month in 2020. SAHM is for everyone, regardless of identity and background.
We have all been impacted by South Asia, be it the language we use, the food we eat, the music we listen to, or the clothes we wear. The month allows people to explore what it means to be South Asian today, as well as look at how South Asian-ness has impacted wider society in the UK and beyond.
South Asia is made up of 8 countries, dozens of regions, hundreds of languages, and thousands of cultures, and given that 1 in every 4 people on the planet is South Asian, there is no better time to celebrate that diversity than now. ”
How to Participate
You can participate by hosting local events, joining online discussions, and sharing your stories on our website. Our website serves as a central hub for events, stories, and resources, including:
Comprehensive Calendar of Events: Discover events happening near you throughout the month.
Event Submissions: Upload and share your own events.
Story Sharing: Upload your own stories and read those shared by others.
School Toolkit: Resources and activities to help educators engage with South Asian heritage and history.
Event Toolkit: Guides and materials for organising community and organisational events.
Click here to explore these resources and more.
Focus Days
This year, we have introduced Focus Fridays to celebrate intersectionality within the South Asian communities, looking at how people may or may not feel free to be themselves. Each Friday highlights a different theme:
- 19 July: LGBTQ+ Pride
- 26 July: Multi Heritage
- 2 August: Dis/Ability
- 9 August: Cross-Generational Understanding
Additionally, there are focus days to celebrate the eight South Asian countries individually:
- 20 July: Bhutan
- 21 July: India
- 27 July: Maldives
- 28 July: Sri Lanka
- 2 August: Afghanistan
- 3 August: Bangladesh
- 10 August: Nepal
- 11 August: Pakistan
We encourage everyone to use these focus days to run events and share posts on social media to highlight and discuss those specific elements of South Asian identity and heritage.
Join the Celebration
We believe that acknowledging and celebrating our diverse identities is a powerful tool for creating understanding and empathy between communities. By sharing our stories and histories, we can build stronger connections and celebrate the diversity of our communities. We hope that everyone will join us in celebrating SAHM 2024 and the theme of “Free To Be Me.”
For more details about SAHM 2024 and the “Free To Be Me” theme, please visit our website
Contact: harvi@southasianhertiage.org.uk
SAHM Link for Logos
SAHM Social Media account tagging:
- @southasianheritagemonth_uk (Instagram)
- @southasianheritagemonth (Linkedin)
- @sahm_UK (Twitter)
- @southasianheritagemonth_uk (Facebook)
- @southasianheritagemonth (YouTube channel)
Click here for Event list, Events toolkit and Schools Toolkit
