Now recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s largest arts festivals, Belfast Mela brings together music, dance, art, theatre, wellbeing and food from around the world to celebrate the city’s growing cultural diversity.
The multicultural festival, which attracted more than 60,000 people last year, once again takes place over nine-day period.
The full Mela 2024 programme is available online at https://belfastmela.org.uk
9. Belfast Mela parade
This year’s Belfast Mela Festival started today with a carnival through the streets of Belfast city centre. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye
10. Belfast Mela parade
This year’s Belfast Mela Festival started on Saturday with a carnival parade through Belfast city centre. Photo: Jonathan Porter / Press Eye
11. Belfast Mela parade
This year’s Belfast Mela Festival started on Saturday with a Mela Carnival through the streets of Belfast city centre. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye
12. Belfast Mela parade
This year’s Belfast Mela Festival started with a Mela Carnival through the streets of Belfast city centre. More than 800 participants representing more than 20 different cultural groups and from neighbourhoods across the city took part in Mela Carnival Parade through Belfast city centre, led by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, and Belfast Mela founder Nisha Tandon, with pulsating world music and dance and amazing sculptures. Photo: Jonathan Porter/PressEye