The Creators of Mela
Mela is produced by ArtsEkta, a multi-award winning cultural organisation that works to develop intercultural relationships at the heart of the community and transform communities through shared creative experiences.
The brainchild of Indian-native Nisha Tandon, ArtsEkta was founded in 2006 on the principles of inclusivity, creativity and openness in all aspects of society – Ekta means ‘uniting’ in the Indian language.
Bringing together communities of Belfast and beyond, we create projects that inspire audiences to engage with the diversity, tastes, rhythms and sights that make up the multicultural life of Northern Ireland.
Over the last decade we have grown dramatically in size and scope and are now recognised as one of the region’s leading arts charities and a pioneer in the development of intercultural arts for Northern Ireland.
The Story of Mela
Launched in 2007, Belfast Mela was created to celebrate our diversity and provide a shared, inclusive space for all communities to express their own cultural identity.
Forward to 2024, and Mela is now one of Northern Ireland’s largest arts festivals bringing together music, dance, arts and food from across the world to celebrate our city’s proud cultural diversity. August is synonymous with the Mela (a Sanskrit word meaning ‘to meet’) when up 60,000 visitors descend on Belfast to revel in a unique carnival of global cultures.
The event fills Belfast with the sights, sounds and aromas of nations right around the world. Music and dance, arts and culture combine to create the heady, good humoured atmosphere of a unique festival which invites the world into the heart of our city.