CUBAN dance performances and tales of Glasgow's slave trade are among a host of events taking place this month to mark Black History Month.

The month was launched last night at Kelvingrove art gallery and museum with an evening of entertainment hosted by writer and actor Sanjeev Kohli.

Events and activities will be taking place across museums and libraries in the city which aim to raise awareness of the role that black and ethnic minority men and women played in shaping the history of Scotland.

They include free lunchtime talks at the Gallery of Modern Art, covering the colonial merchants of Glasgow and the Black Minstrelsy in Scotland, and an event at Woodside library on Saturday with world music, food and information stalls.

Every Friday during October there will be Friday Film Fest at Scotland Street Museum and the Burrell Collection will be hosting a "It Wisnae Us" exhibition chronicling Glasgow's role in slavery.

At the Riverside museum, there will be two free talks on Asian migration to Glasgow in the 1960s and Glasgow in the American Civil War.

The programme will end with Cuban dance performances and dynamic drumming workshops at Kelvingrove Museum on October 31.

Chairman of Glasgow Life Archie Graham said: "We are pleased to host a range of events and activities to commemorate Black History Month.

"The many talks, tours and workshops on offer across the city’s museums and libraries will bring together people of all cultures and ethnicities. They provide a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the uniqueness of their heritage and the many valued contributions and achievements made by Black and Minority Ethnic people in Glasgow.”

All events are free but booking is required for some events. For more information see www.glasgowlife.org.uk.