September is East and South East Asian (ESEA) Heritage Month, a time to honour the cultures, histories, and voices of communities that have long enriched the UK. Covering East Asia: China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan, and South East Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The month highlights the breadth and diversity of this vast region and its influence on British life.

The 2025 theme, Reframing Resilience, invites us to look beyond resilience as simple stoicism or survival, and instead consider how it also encompasses vulnerability, solidarity, and interconnectedness. With the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, the theme takes on particular resonance, encouraging reflection on the legacies of conflict, migration, and rebuilding, as well as the ongoing evolution of communities today.

The East and South East Asian Heritage Month Fair will take place on 17th September, 10am - 2pm in the Library Exhibition Space. Delivered in collaboration between the EDI Team and the Confucius Institute, the Fair is free to attend and will feature activities including food, calligraphy, games, art, and music. The event hopes to bring together staff, students, and families to celebrate heritage and community.