News 
A Weekend Full of Celebrations Returns to Pilrig Park For 2009
2 April 2009
Edinburgh’s Mela Festival aims to bring a great blend of local and international acts to Pilrig Park in Leith this August, promising to once again showcase a varied range of culturally diverse performances.
This year’s Mela Festival takes place on August 7, 8 and 9, offering an arts and cultural programme enhanced by the Mela’s traditional family atmosphere including food stalls, children and family programme and a mini bazaar selling jewellery, shoes and traditional items of clothing.
The Mela is seeking use of Pilrig Park, which has been home to the Mela in previous years and is set to retain the blend of renowned specialist performers, international acts and broader cultural activities that were part of last year’s event at Ocean Terminal.
Supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, the Mela will continue to work closely with stakeholders and residents surrounding Pilrig Park to limit noise and traffic disruption from the event.
Mela Director, Liam Sinclair is looking forward to his first Mela at Pilrig Park, adding that the timing of the event and logistics regarding road re-routing at Ocean Terminal as part of the Edinburgh Trams project meant the waterfront venue was not suitable this year.
“This year’s Mela intends on returning to a venue that will be familiar to many,” he said.
“The Mela’s strength lies in its ability to deliver a diverse programme that brings together exciting performances from many cultures with a family-oriented approach. The shift in timing of this year’s Mela, due to the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan falling at the end of August, adds a different mix of performances for those travelling to Edinburgh for festivals such as the Fringe and Jazz festivals, which will be on at the same time.”
Chair of the Mela, Cllr Steve Cardownie, said the Mela is a great opportunity for families to enjoy an inexpensive outing at times when everyone is trying to spend less.
“There are very few other events that provide the spectacle of the Mela, along with extra areas of interest particularly for families. I’m confident that a day at the Mela is good value for money and a chance to see a combination of performances that will make the day memorable.
I would like to thank Forth Ports for all their support last year and look forward to working with them again in the future.”
Nathan Thompson, Property Director of Forth Ports PLC said:
“After the success of last year we are disappointed that due to localised tram works, we will not be able to stage the Mela at the waterfront this year. It is a fantastic event, we were delighted to host it in Leith last summer and we hope to have it return here in future.”
-ENDS-
For more information contact Shaheena Abbas or Barbara Fraser on 0131 556 0770, Shaheena.abbas@pagodapr.com / barbarafraser@pagodapr.com
Notes to editors
- 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.
- 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)
- Liam Sinclair took the post of Director of the Edinburgh Mela Festival in October 2007 following four years as Head of YouthWorks Drama at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD).
- For more information about the Edinburgh Mela Festival please visit www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk
