News and Press
Edinburgh Mela Calls For Volunteers
7 Jul 2008
The Edinburgh Mela festival is looking for volunteers to work beside performers from all over the world during its week-long run at the end of August.
Mela organisers are looking for people to work with behind the scenes with performers and also to ensure an efficient ‘front of house’ service for the Mela’s audience.
This year the Mela has around 40 separate events planned in and around Ocean Terminal in Leith between August 25 and 31. A large outdoor area will encompass a big top, outdoor stage, stalls and children’s area. Large scale evening events will take place within Ocean Terminal itself, as will the popular fashion parade and other exhibitions and performances.
With a programme that includes aerial performances, traditional African music, gospel singing, Indian dance, tango and flamenco, volunteers will find themselves working with a variety of performers.
The Edinburgh Mela’s volunteer co-ordinator Karen Veitch said:
“Getting involved with something like the Mela is a great experience for anyone interested in world culture, music and the arts. We want our Volunteer Team to be a diverse one and so are keen to hear from people from all backgrounds. Our volunteers will experience being part of a busy team that needs to deliver professional support as part of a successful Mela. They will also be able to use us as referees for future work.”
Mela organisers have approached universities and local community centres and libraries in search of volunteers but anyone is welcome to apply.
The Mela website – www.edinburgh.mela.co.uk – has full details and application information available or people can email volunteer@edinburgh-mela.co.uk. Deadline for applications will be 22nd July.
-ENDS-
For more information contact Esther Black esther.black@pagodapr.com or Shaheena Abbas Shaheena.abbas@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)
