Glasgow has re-entered a stricter lockdown, but while life may feel like it’s being put on hold, Christmas still looms large. Non-essential physical shops are closed, but online, the Christmas markets are open. Support the local economy by checking out these talented Glasgow Southside makers..

Thanks to the overwhelming support of individuals and local organisations, we have smashed our Crowdfunder target meaning the first print issue of Greater Govanhill will be out later this year.

The inaugural Govanhill Street Music Festival was a resounding success, and an example of how we can still enjoy live music in socially distanced times. Katherine Midgley, from the Govanhill Baths Community Trust, explains how it came about.

‘Govanhill Street Level’ is an exhibition of the photography of Simon Murphy. Twenty portraits of local characters stare back at you from A1 prints displayed in shop windows. Greater Govanhill joined him on a walk about the neighbourhood, to see how his portraits paint a picture of the area.

Govanhill International Festival and Carnival (21 - 31 August) showcases the creativity of local people and organisations and draws in talent from across Glasgow and beyond. In this round-up, Govanhill Community Connector, Marzanna Antoniak shares her pick of the festival suitable for families and those who speak some of the community’s 88 languages.

Face masks have become the unexpected go-to fashion accessory of 2020. And from Friday 10 June, it will be mandatory to wear face coverings in shops across Scotland. Support local makers and buy your hand made face mask from one of these Glasgow Southside creatives.

Deirdre Molloy of South Glasgow Heritage & Environment Trust’s writes about their latest community project. SGHET are attempting to document the COVID-19 era, by setting out to build a Southside-centric picture of our diverse community’s response to lockdown and the pandemic.

Every day, Vasily Teglas sets off from home with a suitcase carrying a loud speaker and a traditional Romanian horn-violin. He unpacks by a bench in Queen’s Park and plugs into his amp, striking up with the sounds of Scottish, Romanian and pop music.

Sixteen-year-old Dylan Lombard has an extremely rare illness. MDP syndrome is only affects 13 people in the world. But this isn’t the only thing that make him unique – he also has an incredible eye for the perfect shot. Dylan’s photographs of lockdown paint a stark picture of familiar streets, emptied of familiar faces.

by Govanhill-based writer, Emrys Mordin

If Govanhill was a colour, it would be a rainbow

Bright, bold, brilliant

Colours we never thought would go together

Dancing down the streets

“Some of my friends thought it was frivolous of me to be talking about making art in the face of a wave of deaths. But personally, I don’t have the capacity to set up a support network and there are other people already doing incredible things in that area. I just wanted to create a space where people exchange skills, ideas or support – and have something to get excited about.”