Embargoed
until 23 June - 1100hrs
One week, a world
of creativity
The Edinburgh Mela Festival, Scotland's leading celebration
of cultural diversity through the arts, will create a carnival of events in
Leith to mark its new week-long schedule and Ocean Terminal venue.
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, [email protected] , [email protected]
- 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. - Full
programme is available on www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk or contact Edinburgh Mela office on 0131 347 2600 - 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. - 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. - 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. - Tickets
for events at the Mela Festival are available through the Hub. Site passes can be bought on the day. - 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)
2007 CIPR
President's Grand Prix award for best UK-wide Public Affairs/Lobbying
Campaign; 2006 CIPR Scotland PRide Gold Award for Best Public
Affairs/Lobbying Campaign The Electoral Commission: Political Speed-dating
- Log in to post comments