About this Event
Presented by La Guinéolese in collaboration with the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability & Office for Institutional Equity, University of East London.
Join us for the inaugral Cultural Exchange Salon, a curated cultural forum presented during Black History Month UK 2026, exploring Francophone African heritage, cultural identity, diaspora and belonging.
Bringing together cultural practitioners, researchers, creatives, students, community representatives and wider audiences, the Salon creates space for thoughtful discussion and cultural exchange beyond celebration alone.
The evening will feature a curated panel discussion, an Emerging Research Spotlight and a mini cultural archive exhibition, followed by refreshments, networking and informal cultural exchange.
The Programme
5:30 PM — Cultural Welcome Experience
Arrivals, registration and informal networking accompanied by a curated La Guinéolese music playlist and visual experience.
6:00 PM — Opening & Welcome
6:10 PM — Founder Story & Vision
An introduction to the origins and wider cultural mission of La Guinéolese and the vision behind the Cultural Exchange Salon.
6:20 PM — Emerging Research Spotlight
A short presentation connecting academic research with questions of diaspora, heritage and modern identity.
6:30 PM — Curated Panel Discussion
Cultural Identity in a Global World: Bridging Heritage & Belonging
7:15 PM — Audience Q&A
7:30 PM — Closing & Transition
7:40 PM onwards — Cultural Archive, Refreshments, Networking & Cultural Exchange
Guests will be invited to explore the accompanying mini exhibition featuring selected cultural objects, archival material, literature, textiles, artwork and musical/cultural exchange material.
Agenda
🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Cultural Welcome Experience
🕑: 06:00 PM
Opening & Welcome
🕑: 06:10 PM
Founder Story & Vision
Info: An introduction to the origins and wider cultural mission of La Guinéolese and the vision behind the Cultural Exchange Salon.
🕑: 06:20 PM - 06:30 PM
Emerging Research Spotlight
Info: A short presentation connecting academic research with questions of diaspora, heritage and modern identity.
🕑: 06:30 PM
Curated Panel Discussion
Info: Cultural Identity in a Global World: Bridging Heritage & Belonging
🕑: 07:15 PM
Audience Q&A
🕑: 07:30 PM
Closing & Transition
🕑: 07:40 PM
Cultural Archive, Refreshments, Networking & Cultural Exchange
Info:
Guests will be invited to explore the accompanying mini exhibition featuring selected cultural objects, archival material, literature, textiles, artwork and musical/cultural exchange material.
🕑: 09:00 PM
Close
Event venue & nearby stays
Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, 4-6 University Way, London, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.