The 17th Belfast Mela Festival, sponsored by Sensata Technologies, which is now one of largest arts festivals in Northern Ireland bringing together music, dance, art, theatre, wellbeing and food from around the world to celebrate Belfast’s growing cultural diversity was launched today by the Lord Mayor of Belfast Cllr Ryan Murphy in the Dark Horse.
This spectacular multicultural festival which attracted 60,000 plus people last year will once again take place over nine-days opening on Saturday 19 August with the spectacular Mela Carnival through the streets of Belfast featuring more than 1500 participants, followed by Mela Plus events throughout the week.
Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
New for 2023 is Mela Colours at Botanic Gardens on Saturday 26 August where thousands of people will come together for a vivid, powder-throwing multi-colour frenzy from 1pm to 5pm Hosted by comedian and presenter Bronagh Diamond, on stage there will be dancing, music, live drumming, amazing food and even a chill zone for people of all ages to enjoy.
The traditional Mela Day returns to Botanic Gardens on Sunday 27 August featuring new cultural zones and exciting new performances for 2023.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy said: “Belfast Mela, produced by ArtsEkta, is now in its 17th year and is still one of the most colourful family orientated celebrations in our city.
“The Belfast Mela Festival encapsulates our city and its welcoming spirit, while also celebrating the diverse, dynamic and fantastic mix of cultural diversity. The nine-day festival is an important platform that will allow minority ethnic communities to share and express their identity and embodies our collective vision for a shared future in Belfast.
Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
“The programme this year will feature outdoor events, walking tours, dance and theatre screenings, finishing off with the much-loved festival finale at Botanic Gardens. I would encourage everyone in Belfast to enjoy the annual Mela extravaganza of colour and celebrate our vibrant, diverse and creative city.”
Dr. Nisha Tandon, OBE, Founder of Belfast Mela and Director of ArtsEkta added: “Summer in Northern Ireland wouldn’t be complete without the Mela, where tens of thousands of visitors come together to revel in a unique carnival of global cultures. Over the past 17 years I have had the enormous privilege of seeing Mela grow from humble beginnings back in 2007 in Botanic Gardens attended by 300 people to the incredible nine-day festival which now attracts more than 60,000 people and representatives from more than 20 nationalities who have made Belfast home.
“ArtsEkta has taken enormous strides towards positioning Mela as a festival which can make a significant impact on the lives of members of our new and established migrant communities who remain seriously under-represented in civic life. Central to our work is the use of the arts to generate creative responses to social problems at a local level, helping communities to develop a sense of belonging and a more open, welcoming and vibrant society where all communities in Northern Ireland thrive.”
Darren Walker, Site Leader at Sensata Technologies NI, principal sponsor of Belfast Mela says: “As a global company, we are very proud of our diverse workforce. We know that we are smarter together. That’s why we are delighted to continue our support for the Belfast Mela Festival and its goal to celebrate the richness of culture that we have in Northern Ireland. It’s great to see it continue as a nine-day festival with lots of events for all the family.”
Pictured at the launch of the 2023 Belfast Mela Festival which takes from Saturday 19 August to Sunday 27 August are ArtsEkta performers Utropiks’ Israh Castro and Yamara Ione
Photo by William Cherry/Presseye
Highlights of the 2023 Belfast Mela Festival include:
Saturday 19 August: Spectacular FREE Mela Carnival through Belfast City Centre from 12 noon at Writer’s Square to City Hall at 1pm. 1500 participants representing more than 20 different cultural groups will be taking part with pulsating world music and dance and amazing sculptures finishing at City Hall for Mini Mela with live global performances on stage hosted by U105’s Carolyn Stewart and UTV’s Paul Reilly along with food and arts workshops.
Mementos – 2 Royal Ave Light & Sculpture exhibition to celebrate our older people’s memories. Free
Tuesday 22 August – Orchestral Qawwalli Concert at 7pm – Sufi & Celtic Music at St Anne’s Cathedral with Neil Martin and Orchestral Qawwali Project: Tx £15
Plus Tea Walking Tours and Yoga and Wellbeing sessions taking place throughout the city – full details available on www.belfastmela.co.uk
Saturday 26 August – NEW FOR 2023 – Mela Colours at Botanic Gardens – 1pm to 5pm. High energy colour party throughout the afternoon with DJ on stage, dancers and live drumming. Hosted by emerging presenter and comedian Bronagh Diamond. Tx (inc 2 colour bags) £10 per adult / £8 concession / family £25 (or weekend tx includes Mela Day adult £18).
Sunday 27 August: Mela Day at Botanic Gardens 12 noon until 6pm The city’s annual celebration of global cultures hosted by U105’s Carolyn Stewart and UTV’s Paul Reilly. Look out for the new Little Asia Corner plus a special Mughal Miniatures performance along with performances and workshops by Mexican Artist in residence Paula Herrera Martinez from Danzariega working with local artist Mayte Segura, a renewable fashion show Culture Clash with Another World Belfast, international food demonstrations and the premiere of the South Asian Dance Academy’s new Bombay Dreams original finale. Tx (inc 2 colour bags) £10 per adult / £8 concession / family £25.
Full Mela 2023 Programme available online here https://belfastmela.org.uk/mela-plus/#book-events
The Belfast Mela is principally funded by Belfast City Council with support from Arts Council for NI; Community Relations Council; National Lottery Community Fund, Public Health Agency and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
The principal sponsor is Sensata Technologies and Media Partners are UTV and U105.
Friends of Belfast Mela include Allstate NI; Belfast Harbour; Co-Ownership; Danske Bank; Department of Finance & NICS; Department of Justice; Equality Commission for Northern Ireland; Grant Thornton; Liberty IT; Phoenix Natural Gas; Pinsent Masons; Queen’s University; Translink; Tony Clarke & Co and Visit Belfast.
Follow ArtsEkta’s social media for updates on this year’s Belfast Mela Festival: www.facebook.com/artsekta1 and Instagram and Twitter @ArtsEkta using #belfastmela