A mix of Oriental cultures came together in a fusion of Eastern crafts, art, music and costume at the weekend.

Durham's Oriental Museum staged its annual celebration of all things Asian, attracting overseas students and members of Middle and Far Eastern communities from across the North-East.

The Oriental Bazaar featured everything from Chinese lion dancing, Arabic and traditional belly-dancing, Indonesian and Chinese music, Japanese flower arranging, storytelling, calligraphy and demonstrations of martial arts.

Visitors were able have Indian henna hand paintings, see a Japanese tea ceremony, play mah-jong, learn the rudiments of reflexology and try on a traditional Indian costume.

There were also stands and stalls offering colourful and exotic Oriental gifts, from bonsai trees, kimonos, Iranian carpets, Chinese pearls, paper dragons and Indian textiles, to Egyptian figurines, incense, cards, candles and Chinese iron balls.

Saturday's bazaar makes way for an exhibition of the work of the Durham Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, inspired by many of the items on display at the museum.

The Mayor of Durham, Councillor Mary Hawgood, and her husband, Dr John Hawgood, will attend a special viewing of the exhibition, Spinning Yarns and Weaving Stories, at the museum, in Elvet Hill, off South Road, Durham, today.

It is made up of brightly- coloured rugs, wall hangings, scarves, tapestries and braids, all with a hint of an Oriental theme.

The museum is open daily, from 10am to 5pm, Monday and Friday, and from noon to 5pm at the weekends.

Admission is £1.50 and 75p for concessions, with family tickets costing £3.50.

Published: 29/11/2004