Ferrier Feast Day
In 2004, TARU Arts collaborated with FRAG to lead a carnival in Kidbrooke to engage with the local community using the theme of recycling. With the support of local schools, the annual Ferrier Festday showcased food from various cultures, craft and information stalls, displays, puppets, spaces for children to play and costumes made from recycled materials. A highlight was Romero, a rhino crafted entirely from recyclables. The parade included drummers, a dance performance by children and parents, and active participation from the Kidbrooke community.
Romero (2004) – A Creature of Transformation​​​​
In 2003, the Royal Borough of Greenwich introduced a three-bin system for household waste aimed at improving recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, and the Ferrier estate in Kidbrooke was one of the first to introduce such practice. The following year, TARU artists, led by designers Juliana Tonalezzi and Anatole Mirsky, created Romero—a vibrant and imaginative float that became the star of the local carnival parade based on a design by Fabian Alonso.
Romero was no ordinary carnival feature. This fantastic creature was imagined as something that could "eat" rubbish and transform it into something new and joyful—like costumes and carnival drums.
Part rhinoceros, part recycling machine, and part carnival float, Romero was a symbol of creativity, community, and sustainability.​​
The float was brought to life with the help of local residents, who collected materials such as cardboard, plastic bottles, lids, and more. Its head was sculpted from chicken wire and papier-mâché, while the rest of its body showcased reused and repurposed materials in clever, colourful ways.
About TARU Arts
TARU Arts is a community-focused organisation based in London, dedicated to fostering unity and cultural expression through the arts. Since 2004, they have delivered creative projects and carnivals that celebrate diversity and bring people together across generations.
Contact
📩 Rudy Rocha – Artistic Director: info@taru.org.uk | 07931 664345
📩 Rosana Muller – Arts Administrator: admin@taru.org.uk | 07305 323933
📱 Instagram: @taruarts
