BARRHEAD residents celebrated the town’s diversity as they indulged in a taste of Syria with the area’s refugee families.

Dozens of people flocked to the From Syria to Scotland event at St Andrew’s Church Hall to tantalise their tastebuds with a variety of dishes from across the Middle Eastern country.

Forming part of the Scottish Refugee Festival, the event allowed people to learn about where dishes come from in Syria and how they are made, while having conversations with families who were forced to flee the war-torn nation.

There was plenty of entertainment on offer from dancing groups and musicians such as the Neilston Strings ukelele group.

And moving videos about changes in Syria over the past few years were shown.

Farkhanda Chaudry, equality development officer at East Renfrewshire Council, said: “There was a really wonderful atmosphere at the event. People seemed really relaxed and enjoyed themselves.

“It was all about bringing people from Barrhead together with the people from Syria who now live here and see themselves as part of the local community.

“The Syrian families wanted to celebrate their culture with their fellow Barrhead residents.

“The food was a great way for people to come together, as they had conversations about how it was made and where it came from.

“I think it was a great way for the Syrian families to feel connected to the people around them.”

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