Edinburgh Mela Festival
AUGUST 6–8, 2010
The Edinburgh Mela Festival is a celebration of cultural diversity through the arts. Theatre, music, film, visual art and physical performance take place alongside a food and craft market. With South Asian roots, Mela means ‘Gathering’ in the ancient language of Sanskrit – an event where the arts combine with opportunities to sample food and crafts from many cultures.
In addition to South Asian performances, the festival also offers African, Chinese and various other cultures the opportunity to gather, explore and celebrate the diverse communities of the world. This year, the laid back and relaxed atmosphere of the festival can be experienced at the Leith Links.
With a passionate commitment to showcase some of the best work created in the UK and internationally by minority ethnic artists, or those who choose to work in a culturally diverse way, the Edinburgh Mela features innovative work that engages with important themes or that pushes at artistic boundaries to create new possibilities.
The Edinburgh Mela Festival is a world of creativity with a programme that excites, challenges and stimulates finding connections that unite us all.
Featured videos
Mira Kaushik
Mira Kaushik OBE is the Director of Akademi (formerly known as Academy of Indian Dance), a pioneering organisation that works to encourage excellence in the practice of South Asian dance in Britain. Founded in 1979, Akademi aims to place South Asian dance as an important force within British art, society and education. Akademi produces innovative, large-scale South Asian dance events, and works with imaginative performance venues to allow the widest possible audience for South Asian dance throughout the country. In 2008, they brought the much-acclaimed Initium (Where Dreams Begin) to the Edinburgh Mela. Mira has been to many Edinburgh Festivals, as a visitor and artist; and in this video describes her experiences, and the growing importance of the Edinburgh Mela to provide a platform for multi-ethnic artists as part of the city's celebrations.
