01 Aug 2023
Belfast Mela unveils exciting line up for nine day festival
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.
New for 2023 is Mela Colours at Botanic Gardens on Saturday 26th 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 27th 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.
“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 says: “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 attracting 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.”
Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, welcomed the 2023 festival, saying:
“ArtsEkta has been doing amazing work for over a decade-and-a-half now, championing intercultural arts in Northern Ireland, and working across the region, with all ages and abilities, promoting cultural cohesion in our schools and community groups, in rural areas and areas of high social need. Their flagship event, the Belfast Mela, brings arts and culture from all around the world to the heart of Belfast, and this great creative celebration of diversity undoubtedly strengthens the foundations of a more inclusive and welcoming society. The Arts Council is proud to be a principal funder of ArtsEkta, through our National Lottery funds.”
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.”