Paula Trainor wasn't quite sure how to react when she was told she was a Rasta woman. The 13-year old from the Falls Road just looked a bit perplexed and carried on playing the conga drums as tutor Brian Gilligan shook his blond ringlets and appeared a perfect advertisement for the joys of life as a busker.
Brian was one of seven international buskers who took to the bandstand in Belfast's Cornmarket on Monday to launch a two-week Busker's Workcamp, organised by the International Voluntary Service. The seven buskers, all in their twenties and from different European countries, played a variety of instruments and musical styles. Curious Belfast youngsters were eager to blow, shake or strum any instruments that came their way. For some, their moment of glory didn't last long as hassled parents dragged them off on their journey around the shops.
"Look, I'm brilliant. He told me I have the rhythm," said Paula, still slapping away at the conga drums, which seemed to hold a particular fascination for the children. Passers-by lingered in the sunshine or sat on nearby seats to listen to the multi-cultural group. As well as providing the opportunity for youngsters to try out the instruments, the workshop's main aim is to raise awareness of racism, this being European year against racism. Money collected by the buskers in the North will be given to a multi-cultural resource centre in Belfast, which provides information and a health and education service for ethnic minorities.
Maggie Vahey of IVS said it was decided to hold a busking workshop because it was both colourful and "a good way of involving the community" in the campaign against racism. "Music is such a universal method of communication," she said.
For 23-year-old Dutchwoman, Mirjam Stroetinga, who has busked around different European countries playing the guitar and singing, it was her first trip to Ireland. She said the workshop appealed to her because it was a challenge and it combined both "a good goal" and the chance to play music. "Busking is about a love of people and a love of music, so it fits in well with work against racism."
Having played earlier for a few hours on her own, her first impression of Belfast was positive, despite the city's unenviable reputation. "The people are really friendly. They stop and listen and give you a smile and they manage to make eye contact."
Her countryman, Roel Custers, said his interest in the political situation in the North was one of the reasons he decided to take part in the workshop. He hopes to learn more about the issues, while "putting attention on the other problem of racism".
Ms Vahey said racism is a problem in the North and that the multi-cultural resource centre had documented a number of serious incidences. In one case the home of a Chinese woman was broken into and vandalised. Racist graffiti was daubed on the walls.
It wasn't so much racism as the general atmosphere that was proving difficult for Michail Magos, a Greek who now lives in Belfast with his Irish partner. His 18month-old daughter, Ilianna, was having a go on the conga drums, as he explained that he found life in the city "stressful". "If you walk on one side of the street, that means you're a Catholic; if you walk on the other side, it means you're a Protestant," he said.
Brian Gilligan, from Enniskillen, is the only Irish member of the group and a seasoned busker. On one trip he just had enough money to get to Portugal. From there, with the help of his mandolin, he made this way through Spain, France and the Netherlands. "Music can bring people of any nationality together. It breaks any barriers. You can see the kids dancing around here now."
Over the next two weeks the group will be travelling around the North, visiting Derry (August 21st-23rd) and Ballycastle (August 24th-26th). They will then head to Dublin for the final three days of the tour, which ends on the August 29th.
