
A festival celebrating the north-east’s diverse culture will be held in Aberdeen next month.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 people attended the Mela Festival last year – its biggest crowds yet.
Organisers Aberdeen Multicultural Centre are close to finalising this year’s festival, which will be held at Westburn Park again, on Sunday July 29 from noon until 7pm.
Ashashan Habib, project manager at AMC, said: “We are very close to finalising our performance programme with local and national performers.
“We also have a good selection of food, craft and clothes stalls as well as children’s entertainment and many third sector organisations already in place.
“However there are still opportunities for anyone interested in taking one of the pitches, which are open to both commercial and third sector businesses wanting to meet a diverse range of the population in the north-east.
“With good weather hopefully this should be a fun and entertaining day in the heart of Aberdeen.”
Crowds were entertained by a variety of performances last year ranging from Bhangra dancers to big band performances.
A number of different organisations are involved in planning and deliving this year’s festival, including Friends of Westburn and Victoria Parks, The Polish Association and Aberdeen Civic Forum.
Other organisations giving their input include The Indian Association, the NHS community health team and the Grampian Region Equalities Council and Ethnic Minority Partnership.
Mr Habib added: “It is very exciting for us to receive these extra offers of support for 2018 from groups both within and beyond the traditional minority ethnic communities.
“Last year was a real partnership project and we took a great step forward. We hope it will prove the same for this year.”
The event is supported again by EventScotland, Aberdeen City Council and the director of the Glasgow Mela.