Globus Festival in Drammen celebrates diversity through food and culture

The annual Globus Festival in Drammen is set to celebrate the city’s diversity by bringing people together around food. According to the festival’s food coordinator, Solveig Røine, the festival creates a unique opportunity for the community to gather and share meals, emphasizing that food is a universal element that connects everyone. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has aimed to showcase the positive aspects of an international society, building bridges between different cultures, ages, and traditions.

This year, the festival will feature 27 food stalls at Strømsø Square, each representing various countries and continents. In addition to culinary delights, there will be cultural performances from around the globe on stage.

Gada Ayoub from Sudan is among the vendors, preparing bamyia with lamb—a dish made with okra that holds personal significance for her. She fondly recalls family gatherings centered around this dish during her childhood in Sudan. Ayoub has spent weeks sourcing the finest ingredients for her stall, which she considers essential for creating delicious food.

With a heart for community, Ayoub plans to donate part of her profits to an orphanage in Sudan, highlighting her awareness of the struggles faced by those in her homeland. She shares a sense of guilt for her good fortune in Norway while others face hardship back home.

Another highlight at the festival will be Chinese dishes from siblings Alexander and Caroline Xu, who want to share their family’s culinary heritage, tied closely to their parents’ restaurant. They reminisce about their childhood experiences at the festival and express excitement about participating alongside various cultures. Organizers expect around 10,000 visitors, all eager to experience the rich tapestry of cuisine and community.