During this month, we encourage everyone to engage in activities that showcase the beauty and significance of ESEA cultures.
Embracing the theme of Changing Seasons, this year’s ESEA Heritage Month reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the continuous evolution within East and Southeast Asian communities. Just as seasons shift, so too do our experiences, cultures, and identities, influenced by changing weather, cultural trends, and societal dynamics. This theme invites us to explore new beginnings and growth, celebrating through seasonal cuisines, emerging trends, evolving identities, and reflections on our political landscape.
Compared to other months commemorating other cultures, ESEA Heritage Month is in its infancy with 2024 being its fourth year in the UK. While it is not officially recognised, it is fast growing and being recognised across diversity & inclusion groups, local communities, and wider society.
Celebrating ESEA Heritage Month at LSE
We'll be holding several event across the month of September. Watch this space for more information.
Celebrating ESEA Heritage Month across the UK
Take a look at Besea.n's calendar of events here. From food to arts and crafts, walking tours to gigs, this is an excellent resource to find out more of what ESEA events are happening in your area.
Besea.n are a community focused, volunteer-led organisation with a mission to empower, educate and embrace East and South East Asian people - and their allies - in the UK.
Curious on where to start learning about ESEA?
LSE's ESEA padlet
Find out LSE Library's key subscription resources for East and South East Asia plus some recommended free resources.
ESEA Online Community Hub
A resource hub especially designed to inspire and support universities and workplaces.
On Your Side
A 24/7 helpline and website – the UK’s first nationwide service for ESEA communities to find support and make a report if you experience or witness racism or any form of hate.
Hong Kong Well UK
An organisation made up of Hong Kong-born clinical psychologists, therapists, teachers, and parents. They have provided various mental health resources in Chinese on their website.
Barnardo's Boloh helpline for Hong Kong BN(O)
The UK’s leading charity for children and families @barnardos_uk has launched a dedicated helpline last year to support ethnic community families. Barnardo’s Boloh helpline, offers support in Cantonese and English, provides a free psychotherapy to support the mental health and wellbeing needs of those who will be resettling into a new culture, education system and employment, and challenges integrating into communities.
LSE Staff Counselling
Free and confidential counselling for LSE Staff. The Staff Counselling service can be accessed for help following either a work based incident or for situations relating to personal circumstances.
We asked the LSE's ESEA community to share their "Top Recommendations..."
"East Side Voices" is a collection of stories that amplifies the experiences, voices, and perspectives of individuals from East and Southeast Asian communities. The book delves into the cultural richness, challenges, aspirations, and contributions of these communities, offering a platform to share personal narratives and insights that often remain unheard. It sheds light on the diverse tapestry of lives, identities, and journeys within these communities, aiming to foster understanding, appreciation, and connection.
"Takeaway: Stories from a Childhood Behind the Counter" by Angela Hui is a memoir that chronicles the author's experiences growing up in a Chinese takeaway restaurant in the UK, providing a poignant and personal exploration of family, culture, and the challenges faced by immigrant families in the food industry.
"The Life of a Banana" by PP Wong is a novel that follows the struggles of a young Chinese-British girl named Xing Li, dealing with cultural displacement, family secrets, and finding her place in a society that often treats her as an outsider.
"Chinglish: an almost entirely true story" by Sue Cheung is a story about food, family and finding your own way. It follows the story of Jo, a teenager growing up in 1980's Coventry, UK, who unlike the other kids at her new School, lives above her parent's Chinese takeaway. Told in diary entries and doodles, Jo's brilliantly funny observations about life, family and char siu make for a searingly honest portrayal of life on the other side of the takeaway counter.
Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream in Chinatown is a place to introduce yourself to Philippines most popular sweet treat - Halo-Halo (translate to 'mix-mix') with ube (purple yam) ice cream. Halo-halo has various flavourful ingredients and eye-catching mix of components that together taste heavenly! It is known to be the unofficial national dessert of the Philippines.
Sandra, Department of Accounting
Pho S82, 10 Little Turnstile, London WC1V 7DX
A Vietnamese street-food outlet within 10 minutes walking distance to LSE campus. A perfect little spot to go to for comforting pho at lunchtime. Pho is a Vietnamese soup dish consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat. Phở is a popular food in Vietnam where it is served in households, street-stalls, and restaurants country-wide.
Tsujiri, London Chinatown
A Japanese dessert tea house specialising in Matcha: from ice creams and cakes, to lattes and accessories to brew your very own ceremonial grade matcha tea at home.