Belfast Mela goes virtual for 2020
Northern Ireland’s biggest celebration of cultural diversity, the Belfast Mela goes virtual for 2020 with a week-long series of more than 50 free events planned from Monday 24 August until Sunday 30 August on Belfast Mela website.
Mela at Home Highlights
Highlights of this year’s Mela at Home, sponsored by Sensata Technologies, include a wonderful line up of music, dance, food, art, theatre, discussion and wellbeing from around the world presented by local artists and performers living in Northern Ireland.
An engaging and interactive Mela at Home festival map transports visitors to a virtual Botanic Gardens with a range of new exciting events on offer each day including spectacular performances on the World Stage, a variety of cookery demonstrations in the Palm House, relaxation workshops in the World of Wellbeing, plus interactive theatre, animation, storytelling and much more for children.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey announced this year’s Mela at Home Festival saying: “The award-winning Belfast Mela, launched by one of the city’s leading cultural groups - ArtsEkta, is now the biggest celebration of cultural diversity in Northern Ireland. I am delighted that ArtsEkta has shown resilience and adapted with a very exciting virtual edition of the festival – Mela at Home.
The Vision
Nisha Tandon, OBE, Founder of Belfast Mela and Director of ArtsEkta said: “We really hope our virtual festival brings people some joy, positivity and hope in these very strange times. Recent events have also created momentum in communities in every corner of the globe with equality and rights firmly under the spotlight. Our vision is a society that respects different cultures and communities in Northern Ireland. We will continue to play our part in challenging racism and prejudice by using arts and creativity to help us all embrace our differences and celebrate our similarities.
“We encourage you to log onto our new website, Belfast Mela, to pick your favourite events, many of which are interactive and created with every member of the family in mind. And of course, we’d love you to support the festival by purchasing a limited edition Mela Culture Box to create your very own pop-up Mini Mela at home.”
How to enjoy the Mela at Home
Mela at Home starts on Monday 24 August on Belfast Mela website and runs until Sunday 30 August with a variety of events lined up each day. All events are free of charge. Follow all the fun on ArtsEkta’s social media: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @artsekta
The full Belfast Mela at Home programme is available to online at Festival programme.
