News and Press
One Week, A World Of Creativity
23 Jun 2008
Running from August 25 to 31, the Mela Festival this year has a fantastic programme lined up which includes performers travelling from as far afield as Africa, South America and India.
A new outdoor venue beside Ocean Terminal, including a big top, will host a range of activities while the shopping complex itself will accommodate significant events including film screenings, performances, concerts and exhibitions.
The programme, available from today [23 June], includes a number of world, UK and Scottish premieres as well as the return of popular previous events.
This year’s programme also marks the debut of festival director Liam Sinclair. Speaking at the launch, he said:
“The Mela this year offers a world of creative talent. Traditional Indian dance will sit beside tango and flamenco troupes. The big top will host an aerial circus act and the rhythms of India and Pakistan will be joined by those from Japan, Africa and elsewhere. Upswing Aerial have devised a breathtaking display of circus acrobatics and the London Community Gospel Choir will add their infectious singing to the party atmosphere.”
“Our new venue allows us to surround the big top with a rolling programme of music and entertainment. We are welcoming acts associated with the Gypsy Arts Festival who we have been collaborating with for the Festival, and we have recognised Edinburgh’s thriving Polish community with a performance by Gappad - Scotland’s only Polish Theatre ensemble.”
A world premiere - Yatra//Journey - will take place at the weekend. Supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund, is it a collaborative performance between The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Adeo Records and Publishing, and Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers. Bringing together musical cultures from Scotland, South Asia and Japan this collaboration is set to create a dynamic fusion of musical traditions.
Speaking at the launch the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture - Linda Fabiani said:
“Scotland’s biggest intercultural event, the Edinburgh Mela is a wonderful celebration of our nation’s cultural diversity and an integral part of Edinburgh’s world renowned festivals.
“I’m therefore delighted that the Scottish Government is providing £41,492 in Expo funding towards the Mela, which will assist the festival in showcasing the world premiere of the exiting collaborative project Yatra//Journey, which brings together Scottish based artists from
three diverse musical cultures to present a truly unforgettable musical experience.
“Featuring a dazzling array of dance, theatre, music, food and performance, Mela 2008 is sure to be a huge success with a host of local and international talent on show for visitors to enjoy.
“The Scottish Government is committed to promoting equality and inclusivity for all and this festival is a great example of people from all backgrounds from around the world coming together to share culture and the arts.”
Kick starting the festivities will be a Mela favourite, Sakhian – ladies only night – on 24 August, which for the first time will include a staged drama called ‘Sapano ki shaadi’ meaning ‘Dream Wedding’, as well as a disco and a performance by Bhangra singer, Des-C.
Weekend evening highlights include the Club Night with live DJs, internationally recognised producer Rishi Rich, along with artists Juggy D and Veronica, and the legendary Bhangra band DCS.
Film and theatre will be two new elements for 2008. A series of films and documentaries will be shown at VUE Cinemas and theatre will include an entertaining yet insightful piece by Theatre Insaan – ‘Jihad: Inner Struggle’ described as “Physically charged, high definition set pieces that play with scale and perspective” by The Herald.
The dance and physical theatre offerings will include London-based Akademi who specialise in innovative, large-scale South Asian dance with the Scottish premiere of ‘Initium’ which uses dance, circus skills and folk theatre influences.
The popular fashion show will return this year promising a catwalk of couture fashion presented in a bollywood style.
The festival concludes with a presentation of Mother India 21 century (MI21): a contemporary live re-scoring of the original Mother India, a tour-de force of Indian cinematic history, led by award winning turntablist DJ Tigerstyle.
Edinburgh Mela Festival chair, Steve Cardownie, said:
“This year’s event marks a step change for the Mela’s entry into Edinburgh’s festival calendar. It is the boldest programme we have ever presented, and has extended across many more cultures than previously. With the support from Forth Ports we also have a first class venue to ensure the Edinburgh Mela reflects a world stage.”
Outdoor activities are focused across the weekend of August 30 and 31. A £2 site pass on Saturday and Sunday will allow unlimited access to the outdoor arenas featuring many of the highlighted artists from 12 noon each day. Entry to the children’s area which includes art and craft activities is included in the site pass and entry for children under 12 to the Mela is free. Tickets for one-off evening events in Ocean Terminal and performances in the Big Top are ticketed with prices ranging from £5-£10.
-ENDS-
For more information contact Shaheena Abbas or Barbara Fraser on 0131 556 0770, Shaheena.abbas@pagodapr.com , Barbara.fraser@pagodapr.com
Notes to Editors
1. The Edinburgh Mela Festival was founded in 1995 by members of the city’s minority ethnic communities, and one of its key objectives was to reflect and celebrate Scotland’s cultural diversity.
2. Full programme is available on www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk or contact Edinburgh Mela office on 0131 347 2600
3. Liam Sinclair took the post of Director of the Edinburgh Mela Festival last October following four years as Head of YouthWorks Drama at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD). There he was responsible for the youth and community drama programmes as well as activities that promoted diversity and inclusion within the performing arts. A graduate of the RSAMD he has also worked as a Programme Manager for Common Purpose and Education Development Officer for The City of Edinburgh Council. He sits on a number of Boards, including The Board of Birds of Paradise Theatre Company of which he is Chair.
4. The Edinburgh Mela Festival is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Arts Council and The Scottish Government. Its major sponsor is Forth Ports Plc with additional sponsorship from Lothian and Borders Police, NHS Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Unison and Lothian Buses.
5. Forth Ports PLC owns and operates the Ports of Grangemouth, Leith, Rosyth, Methil and Burntisland on the River Forth, the Port of Dundee on the River Tay and Port of Tilbury on the River Thames. Forth Ports PLC is also a significant landowner with extensive property interests and a number of high profile developments. These include the Scottish Government offices and Ocean Terminal shopping centre – home to the former Royal Yacht Britannia - at Leith, the Western Harbour, Granton Harbour and Leith Docks developments on Edinburgh’s waterfront, and the City Quay development at Dundee.
6. Tickets for events at the Mela Festival are available through the Hub, Castlehill, Edinburgh. www.hubtickets.co.uk or phone 0131 473 2000. Site passes can be bought on the day.
7. A report in 2005 revealed the Mela’s contribution to the local economy was £1 million (see p7 of http://efaextra.efa-aef.eu/efadoc/11%5Cfestivals_exec_summary_final_%20edinburgh%2004-05.pdf)
