Identity, Ideas and Ice Cream; the birth of Grangetown Philosophy Café

A group of residents in Grangetown are establishing a community activity with a difference, as part of wider project involving a diverse collection of local people and groups, in partnership with Cardiff University.  

Following on from some successful events in the autumn, they will be holding a philosophy café in various locations across the ward, with the aim of pulling in a variety of people for a bit of coffee drinking and deep thinking.

Moseem Suleman, one of the founder members, has already held a couple of informal sessions in his own café, Ice Cream Passion, and he is genuinely excited about the potential for opening out the project to other venues and groups.  He says “we’ve had some really enjoyable and thought-provoking discussions so far, on questions such as identity and citizenship, and I’d really recommend it to anyone who’s interested in discussing issues that are important to our everyday life.’

As one who was brought up in the area, and has spent much of his life in Grangetown, an appealing aspect for Moseem is the opportunity to reflect on questions that are relevant to community life. ‘I feel really blessed to have been brought up in such a diverse area, but I think it’s important we appreciate it more - and that as members of the community we do our bit, think about the future and learn from each other.’

One of the other events he helped to organise was an ‘Evening of Seasonal Solidarity’ in the run up to Christmas.  It was held in the converted Bowls Pavilion at Grange Gardens, which local residents and University staff have been slowly transforming into a community space.  Another of those who helped stage the night is local musician, Chris Krik Young.  He was able to use his contacts amongst Cardiff musicians to piece together a varied and stellar cast of performers, including local soul singer Leighton Jones, and Palestinian Saleh Hassan, who performed wonders on his oud.

Chris says, ‘the main reason we’ve got together to start a philosophy café is to have the chance to discuss relevant themes from the perspective of our own cultures and values, and learn from each other.  We thought an event like this was a great way of doing more of the same but with more of a performance element to showcase local talent and culture.   I really enjoyed the opportunity to take advantage of a local facility and put on the night.’ 

‘It was a great mix of musicians and stories.  We had Keith Murrell talking about his life growing up in Butetown and singing a few songs, including the anthemic ‘Dock of the Bay’.  We also had an unusual combination of the nativity being told in Arabic from the Quran, and in Welsh from the Bible!’ Chris is hopeful that this will lay the foundation for other, similar nights.  ‘We live in such a culturally rich and diverse area that we definitely won’t be wanting for acts.  I’m hopeful we can use this platform to showcase what different groups have to offer and foster collaboration in the community across arts, music and culture.

As for this week’s philosophy café, the question to be discussed is ‘What does it mean to be a good citizen?’  There taking part will be Huw Williams, who teaches philosophy at Cardiff University.  ‘I was aware that the University was beginning its Grangetown Community Gateway project and went along to a couple of their events as a resident – before I knew it I was helping out with the philosophy café and all sorts!’

‘I’ve actually been really impressed at how the university has been able to act as a catalyst by providing some time, resources and expertise.  For instance, I’ve been able to get a small grant to fund some students, so that they can lead philosophy sessions with children in the area.  We live in a great area with a lot going on, and as a uni we have got such a breadth of research and talent in areas like architecture, business, health and the environment that it only takes a little bit effort to get the right people together and you can do great things.  It’s a model for how the Higher Education can be at the heart of our local communities and economies and help provide that creative spark.’

‘One of the things we aim to do with the philosophy café is bring the conversation around to how the insights of our discussion might provide new ideas to try and implement on our doorstep.  Doing this whilst drinking coffee and eating some of Mos’s puddings makes it all the more inspiring!’

If you live in Grangetown or you are in the area this Saturday morning, the session begins as 11am at the Ice Cream Passion café.