Free Liverpool Culture Festival and March to End HBA Confirmed by Savera UK

July 7, 2026
By Editor - Elliot Thompson

Merseyside-based charity Savera UK has announced that its annual March to End HBA and free Festival of Culture will return to Liverpool on Saturday, 29 August 2026, following a highly successful turnout last year.

The charity, which campaigns to help people affected by honour-based abuse (HBA) and harmful practices such as forced marriage, conversion therapy, and spiritual abuse, will bring back the theme of its inaugural festival, Culture is Beautiful: No Excuse for Abuse, to support its ongoing mission to eliminate these practices for good.

Katumba Drumming and Movement will lead the annual awareness-raising procession from Williamson Square through the city centre to the Bombed Out Church.

The musical collective will be joined by renowned percussionist Felix Ngindu and The Dancing Queens, an award-winning intergenerational dance, wellbeing, and carnival collective from the Black Women’s Health Forum under the artistic direction of Ithalia Johnson.

Following the march, the afternoon will feature a series of uplifting performances at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church from diverse local groups showcasing music and dance from a wide range of cultures, alongside children’s craft activities, food stalls, henna painting, raffle draws, and information stands hosted by local support services.

Charity Leaders and Regional Officials Highlight Growing Public Support

Organisers note that public engagement with the campaign has scaled up significantly since the demonstration first launched as a minor local walk four years ago.

Afrah Qassim, Savera UK CEO and Founder, said:

“Our vision for the march and festival has always been an annual event that returns to the city each year to celebrate our fantastic, diverse community, to share our different cultures and to take a stand against abuse and division that causes harm.

“We are always stronger together.

“The awareness-raising March is central to that vision, a powerful display of solidarity against forms of abuse which are not a part of any culture or faith but are simply human rights violations.

“Our annual march started in 2022, when a small group of us marched together from the Bombed Out Church down Bold Street.

“Last year, the march directly engaged more than 1,000 people, with more than 100 marching and many hundreds more spectating.

“Our message is spreading; awareness is increasing and that means more people understand what HBA and harmful practices are and where they can get help.

“We are grateful to once again have the support of Merseyside PCC, Emily Spurrell, who has stood shoulder to shoulder with us at the march each year, and who has been a longstanding and vital partner in our mission to end HBA and harmful practices for good.”

The 2026 event is backed by the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, who funds the charity as part of regional victim care services.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said:

“It’s great to see the Savera UK March continue to grow in strength and impact each year.

“It stands as a powerful statement of unity across Merseyside, bringing together communities, partners and survivors to say with one voice that ‘honour’-based abuse and harmful practices have no place in our society.

“This march is not only about raising awareness but about empowering those affected to know they are not alone, while shining a light on the vital and life-changing work delivered by Savera UK.

“Addressing ‘honour’-based abuse remains a key commitment within our Violence Against Women and Girls Delivery Plan and I’m proud to fund Savera UK as part of my Victim Care Merseyside service.

“We are working hard to improve understanding, strengthen partnerships and ensure that anyone affected can access the right support without fear or barriers.

“I am proud to support Savera UK and our communities at this important event.

“Together, we are sending a clear message that abuse will never be tolerated, and that we will continue striving for a safer, more inclusive Merseyside for everyone.”

International Human Rights Partnerships Call For Urgent National Action

The upcoming bank holiday weekend event is being delivered in collaboration with global advocacy groups and corporate sponsors who emphasise that gender-based violence remains a critical issue across the country.

Dianne Jeans, Zonta UK Area Director, said:

“Zonta UK is proud to be partnering with Savera for the fifth year to raise awareness of HBA and harmful practices.

“Zontians are travelling from London, from Scotland and from Ireland to join the march on Saturday 29th August.

“Zonta is an international organisation which works with the UN globally to address all forms of violence against women.

“Violence against women and girls remains the most prevalent and pervasive human rights violation in the world.

“In many societies, it is an unfortunate daily experience for women and girls.

“In the UK it is being called a national emergency.

“Violence is happening at all levels, in all areas of our society.

“The time for all of us to act – men and women together is now.”

Festival sponsors for the 2026 event include Thornley Leisure, Merseyrail, and Auteur Media, with additional performance support from Morecrofts and MSB Solicitors.

Local businesses and individuals interested in checking out remaining sponsorship slots or reviewing general event information can find out more by visiting the site here.