25 AUGUST 2024
ArtsEkta would like to thank all funders and sponsors for supporting Belfast Mela 2024.
Principal Funders
Principal Sponsor Wellbeing Sponsor
Friends of Mela Media Partners
Our Team
Mela is brought alive by over 400 artists, performers, choreographers, producers, creative geniuses and event professionals. A massive thank you to each and every one for being the heartbeat of the festival.
Executive Director
Creative Producer
Creative Engagement Manager
Admin & Operations Officer
Project Assistant
Design & Marketing Assistant
Production Manager
Press & Communications
Motion Design
Photography
Videography
Illustration
Board of Directors
Anna Lo MBE (Chair)
Pamela Ballantine (Vice Chair)
Janice Smith (Treasurer)
Mukesh Sharma MBE DL
Stephen McGarry
Dr. M Satish Kumar
Lynee Stevenson
Nikita Ferguson
Dr. Nisha Tandon OBE
Krishan Tandon
Amy McFarlane
Nabeela Yasin-Iannelli
Tara Salinsoy
Sonia McCourt
Becky Turnock
Orla McKibbin
Laura Coulter
Carrie Davenport
25 AUGUST 2024
BOTANIC GARDENS
WELCOME BACK TO MELA!
A warm welcome to the 18th annual Belfast Mela where food, music, dance, carnival, circus, visual arts, fashion and family fun from over thirty nations across the globe awaits you. Join together with tens of thousands of others in a fantastic shared celebration of world culture and creativity for all the family.
A Message from CEO of ArtsEkta, Dr. Nisha Tandon OBE
The Mela has become the city’s favourite annual get together and a firm highlight in our cultural calendar. Today is the spectacular finale of our nine day Mela programme across Belfast.
Many communities have made Belfast their home and it has never been more important that we embrace the individuality and cultural heritage of each citizen and find strength in our diversity.
I wish you all a wonderful afternoon and encourage to learn, share, talk and celebrate everything that is good about our city and its people.
A Message from Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray
Belfast Mela is always a real highlight in our cultural calendar, but this year, during Belfast 2024, our biggest ever citywide celebration of creativity, I think it takes on even greater significance, as so many more people are discovering – or remembering, the joy that creativity and the arts can bring to our everyday lives.
This beautifully diverse and vibrant programme, so carefully curated by the expert ArtsEkta team is going to bring a lot of magic and fun to Botanic Gardens today.
The Mela really resonates with my priorities this year as First Citizen – helping to make Belfast a place where everyone feels welcomed and included; a more inclusive, diverse and kinder city where we can shine a light on all that’s good about our people and our place.
Green Mela aims to reduce the negative impact that the festival has on the environment. We are committed to reducing pointless plastic, recycling and local regeneration.
Handpicked Highlights for Mela
With a jam packed programme of music, dance, food and art over six hours, we’re here to help with some of our favourite, not to miss highlights of this year’s Mela. Get ready to be amazed as one mega cultural extravaganza unfolds across Botanic Gardens.
12.30pm OPENING PROCESSION
Kick off the Mela with an amazing procession through the park with drum-believable beats, global dance and spectacular carnival creations.
1.00pm CULTURE LAND
Head over to Culture Land with the wee ones and visit our global villages of crafts, sounds, dance, stories and art.
1.30pm TAKE A TRIP WITH EITHNE
Join Eithne on an amazing adventure and make new friends from all over the world!
2.00pm THE FAERIE TRAIL
Meet the mysterious Morrígan, the hero Lugh Lámhfhada with his spear of light and Manannán Mac Lir, the God of the Sea.
2.30pm A TASTE OF THE MEDITERREAN
Join Sabeh Shirlow from Cathargo in Moira at our Taste the World tent for some Mediterrean-inspired cooking.
2.50pm SUN-KISSED SALSA
Hop on over to the World Stage to experience a distinctive blend of Latin rhythms and traditional Irish Music.
3.00pm SOUND ESCAPE
Immerse yourself in a serene environment where soothing sounds and tranquil melodies transport you to a place of deep relaxation.
3.15pm DISCOVER THE FAR EAST
Explore the delights of the Far East from traditional arts and crafts and street theatre to costume displays and sports.
3.30pm FIESTA BABIES
Enter the colourful world of Fiesta Babies for a magical Mexican fiesta experience with your wee ones!
4.00pm BHANGRA BEATS
Stop by the main stage and get your dancing shoes ready with the best Bhangra & Bollywood dance and music.
4.30pm CHILLI EATING COMPETITION
Can you handle the heat? Get ready for the Mela’s eye watering chilli eating competition at the Feast of Fire.
5.45pm DRUM-BELIEVABLE BEATS
Be amazed with this year’s spectacular Mela finale as The Dhol Foundation take to the main stage to close the event with a thunderous drumming performance.
Line Up
Salsa grooves, bhangra stars, hip hop beats and Punjabi pop! The biggest and best acts around are on our World Stage hosted by UTV’s Paul Reilly and u105’s Carolyn Stewart. While on our Showcase Stage you’ll find a unique platform for the very best in homegrown world music and dance as well as spectacular community performances.
World Stage Showcase Stage
12.30pm Procession
12.45pm A Message from the Lord Mayor
12.50pm Anna’s Number
1.30pm Discovery Gospel Choir
2.05pm Dance United
2.10pm Mexican Dance NI
2.20pm Chinese Dance NI
2.50pm Baile an Salsa
3.45m Dance United
4.00pm Bhangra Smash Up
4.50pm South Asian Dance Academy
5.15pm The Dhol Foundation
1.00pm Bright Lights
1.20pm Dance Xpress Estonian Dance
1.35pm Chemshir Bulgarian Dance
2.00pm Citadels of the Sun
2.40pm Cleamairí Feirste
3.10pm Dhol Belfast
3.35pm Tradala
4.15pm Utropiks
Family Fun
No visit to the Mela is complete without experiencing all our family fun attractions. From global arts and crafts and dance workshops, to magical street theatre and fabulous storytelling the festival has something for every member of the family!
CULTURE LAND
A Journey Around the World
Culture Land is a magical area of enchantment and craft, sounds and dance, stories and art where young people can journey across the globe on an exploration of culture and traditions.
1.10pm Bellydance by Heba Hamdi
1.30pm Amber Lithuanian Group
2.00pm Afrikan Warriors Acrobatics
2.40pm Tarangini Belfast Dance Group
3.10pm Chemshir Bulgarian Dance
3.25pm Chinese Dragon Dance
3.45pm Flamenco music
4.30pm Afrikan Warriors Acrobatics
Location: Ulster Museum Lawns
If it all gets a bit too much and you need to take a breather in area of calm way from the main festival site, what better place than the Mela’s World of Wellbeing?
12.30pm Sound Escape
1.00pm Magical Sounds & Qi-Gong
1.30pm Sound Escape
2.30pm Magical Sounds
3.00pm Sound Escape
4.00pm Soul Dance
4.30pm Womb Healing
Location: Rose Gardens
World of Words
We invite you to climb aboard our story ship, settle in and enjoy some wonderful tales from the four corners of the world.
Location: Palm House
1.00pm Nandi Jola (South Africa) 2.15pm Vicky McFarlane (Northern Ireland) 3.30pm Masako Carey (Japan) 4.30pm Samantha Porciello (Northern Ireland)
Family Fun
Led by Mexican dancers and special early years facilitators, come and experience the vibrant sounds and colours of Mexica in a specially decorated marquee. Both adults and children alike can enjoy dancing with a DJ playing the happy sounds of Mexico that is guaranteed to have everyone wiggling their fingers and bouncing in their babygros.
Drop in from 12.30pm - 5pm
Location: Bandstand
Little Asia
Experience the beauty of Far Eastern culture in Mela’s very own bustling Little Asia set along the beautiful backdrop of the park’s Rose Garden.
• Calligraphy Workshop
• Chinese Lion & Dance Dragon
• Kendo martial arts workshop
• Ikebana flower arranging workshop
• Yukata Kimono dress up
• Bon odori dance workshop
• Yo-yo festival games
• Bonsai display
Drop in from 12pm - 5pm
Location: Rose Garden
Family Fun
MELA BAZAAR
The Faerie Trail
Step into the otherworld – the world of the fairies or ‘na daoine maithe’ on this magical fairy trail experience where you will meet the Tuatha Dé Danann; the magical and mythical fairy people of Ireland.
Show times are 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm.
Location: The Rockery
Pay a visit to a wide range of exhibitors transforming the park into a mesmerising marketplace. From food markets and artisan producers to crafts and wellbeing experiences, Mela is a true shopper’s paradise bringing the world into the heart of our city. Don’t forget to visit our Henna marquee and get your very own Mela-inspired tattoo.
Drop in from 12pm - 6pm
Location: Across the Park
Food
With over 20 local food producers get ready to tickle your taste buds with an amazing offer of global cuisine served up using the best Northern Irish produce. Check out our World Food Village, get hands on with our cookery demos, and feel the heat with the return of the Mela chilli eating competition!
Visit our cookery theatre where local chefs and producers come together with performing artists to share recipes while describing their local food inspirations and influences in developing world inspired menus.
FOOD COURTYARD
1.30pm Asia, Europe and The Americas with Artur Fon
2.30pm 3.30pm 5.30pm
Location: Bandstand
Relax at our Food Courtyard located at the World Food Village. Our food courtyard is a place to chill and enjoy a bite with family and friends while enjoying trad sessions in our traditional music marquee curated by local musician Grainne Holland.
Location: East Walkway
17 - 25 AUGUST 2024
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Want to attend future events?
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Mela will return in 2025 between the 16th – 24th August for another nine dazzling days of world music, dance, food and art! Keep up the latest festival news at www.belfastmela.org.uk
www.artskekta.org.uk
ArtsEkta are proud organisers of Belfast Mela 2024
Please note: All programme timings and festival map are subject to change. By paying admission you agree to the festival terms and conditions.