THE PLACE TO BE
This year’s World of Wellbeing forms part of The Place to BE, a series of immersive experiences created by Tessa Ann. Set within the beautiful Rose Garden, World of Wellbeing offers a welcoming space where visitors can enjoy a quieter pace within the festival.Bringing together sound, gentle movement, community wellbeing and opportunities to pause, the Rose Garden becomes somewhere to slow down, recharge and reconnect throughout the day. As you wander through the gardens, you’ll discover immersive sound experiences, mindful movement, opportunities to explore, community wellbeing and peaceful places to pause, all thoughtfully brought together within one of Belfast Mela’s most relaxing spaces.There is no right or wrong way to experience the area. Whether you stay for a few minutes or settle in for longer, you’re welcome to listen, move, pause, connect or simply be.
What to Expect
The Sound Space
Time | 12-5pm
Created and facilitated by Tessa Ann, The Sound Space brings together immersive soundscapes, Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, drums, percussion and voice, offering a welcoming place to slow down, listen and reconnect amidst the energy of the festival. Open from 12.00 pm – 5.00 pm, visitors are welcome to come and go throughout the afternoon. Facilitated sound sessions take place between 1-4pm, for 30 minutes. Whether you stay for a few minutes or settle in for longer, you're welcome to enjoy the space in whatever way feels most comfortable for you.
Move & Flow
Time | 1.30pm - 4.00pm
Gentle movement in the heart of the Rose Garden. Join us in the Rose Garden for gentle movement sessions designed to help you stretch, breathe and reconnect amidst the energy of the festival. Throughout the afternoon, enjoy Qi Gong with Michael Mac and Mindful Hooping with Fi Flo Hoops, offering simple opportunities to move, connect with others and enjoy the atmosphere of the World of Wellbeing.
The Sound Hub
Time | 1-4pm
A welcoming place to explore sound through listening, creativity and play. The Sound Hub invites visitors to explore a selection of instruments, enjoy simple creative activities, browse books and resources, and discover the Nauroso Sound Environment Guide & Map. The guide helps visitors understand what each area might sound like, so you know what to expect and can explore the space at your own pace. It has been designed to support all visitors and may be particularly helpful for those who experience sound sensitivity or sound sensory challenges. Drop in throughout the afternoon to explore, discover and find out more about Tessa Ann's work with children, families, educators, organisations and communities. Supported throughout the afternoon by Emma Mohan. Suitable for all ages.
HappyFest Talks
Time | 1-6pm
Discover practical tools to help you live a happier, healthier and more balanced life at the HappyFest Talks. Join an inspiring line-up of wellbeing experts, coaches and speakers including Fergus Rooney, Annette Burke, Tove Kane, Ciara Daly, Jeanne Sullivan-Bileci and Deirdre Maguire as they share practical advice, personal insights and empowering techniques to help you improve your mindset, reduce stress, build confidence, strengthen relationships and enhance your overall wellbeing.
Community Wellbeing Tent
Time | All day
Connecting people, services and communities. Meet local organisations, community groups and wellbeing partners supporting individuals, families and communities across Belfast and beyond. Drop in throughout the day to chat, discover local services and find out more about the projects and initiatives helping communities to thrive.
Public Health Agency Wellbeing Area
Time | All day
Hosted by the Public Health Agency, this welcoming space offers the opportunity to meet wellbeing professionals, explore a range of health and wellbeing resources, and find out about services and support available across Northern Ireland.
The Place to Pause
Time | 12-6pm
A gentle invitation to slow down. Take a moment to experience the Rose Garden in a different way. Pause beneath the willow tree. Wander through the pathways. Explore the blooms. Notice the rockery. Listen to the sounds around you. There is nowhere else you need to be right now.
Meditation & Massage
Time | All day
Time to relax and recharge. Drop in throughout the day to enjoy guided meditation, massage and wellbeing activities, offering moments of calm and relaxation within the peaceful surroundings of the Rose Garden.
The Nauroso Sensory Garden
Time | All day
A self-guided exploration of sound, sensory environments and place at The Tropical Ravine Just a short walk from the World of Wellbeing, discover one of Belfast's most remarkable indoor gardens from a different perspective. Created by Tessa Ann and presented by Nauroso, this thoughtfully designed, self-guided experience invites you to slow down, explore and become more aware of the sounds, spaces and sensory qualities that shape the way we experience the world around us. As you move through the Tropical Ravine, you'll discover gentle listening invitations, opportunities to pause and interactive experiences that encourage curiosity about sound, place and the environment. Whether you're looking for a quieter moment, enjoy discovering new places or are simply curious about how sound influences everyday life, you're welcome to explore at your own pace. Stay for a few minutes or linger a little longer. There is no right or wrong way to explore. Nauroso is an evolving platform that helps people better understand and shape their relationship with sound and sensory environments through immersive experiences, learning, practical tools, research and consultancy.
A Welcoming Space
The World of Wellbeing is designed to be welcoming, family friendly and accessible for visitors of all ages. Facilities include: a private family care space for nappy changing and infant feeding; seating throughout the Rose Garden, with places to sit, pause and reflect; flexible drop-in activities, allowing visitors to explore at their own pace throughout the day; an information hub to help visitors discover everything happening across the World of Wellbeing; simple accessibility measures to help visitors enjoy the area in a way that feels comfortable for them.
Temple of Winds
For 14 years, Tessa Ann has curated the World of Wellbeing at Belfast Mela, bringing together sound experiences, movement, community wellbeing and opportunities to pause within one welcoming space in the Rose Garden. Her work explores how thoughtfully designed environments can support calm, connection and wellbeing through sensory experiences, creative learning and community engagement.
Sound Healing Spa
Creating immersive sound experiences that invite people to slow down, listen differently and experience people, place and sound in new ways.
Nauroso
Developing learning, research and practical resources that help people better understand and shape their relationship with sound in everyday environments.