The Edinburgh Mela

As the names suggests, the annual "Mela" is a "festival" or "fair" with a South Asian flavour, but incorporating Scottish and international performances and artists for a multi-cultural flavoured mix. It was founded in 1995.

In the space of an hour, you'll quite possibly watch African drumming, flamenco dancing, bhangra, and an emergency services demonstration, while chowing on hot samosas and sipping a chai tea. And where else would you catch Rabbie Burns in Urdu?

The set-up, in Pilrig Park and in 2008 in Ocean Terminal, has included a marketplace with performance marquees. This year the Mela moves further down Leith Walk to the area beside Ocean Terminal, for a longer 5-day festival at the end of August.

Edinburgh Mela director Liam Sinclair, who took the post of Director of the Edinburgh Mela Festival in October 2007 says he hopes to host the his first Mela back in Pilrig Park earlier in August.

"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."