Arts Ekta

Last month we took over Botanic Gardens as the annual #BelfastMela returned for its 12th year, together with SPAR NI.
Relive the magic of Mela with our video highlights where thousands of you came together to celebrate our people, culture and communities.
Sure a little rain never hurt anyone!
... Video produced by those lovely folk over at Redcap Productions - Northern Ireland Video Production
Belfast City Council Arts Council of Northern Ireland Visit Belfast Discover Northern Ireland
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The spectacular finale of the Belfast Mela 2018 combining drumming, dance, storytelling, audience participation and dramatic special effects to tell a contemporary Bollywood story!

The official photos from the Belfast Mela 2018 together with SPAR.
Belfast City Council Arts Council of Northern Ireland Discover Northern Ireland... Visit Belfast
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Well what a spectacle our grand finale show Reunite was! It told the story of Owen and Molly, both from Belfast but who meet and fall in love while travelling in India.
They try to rekindle their love with a meeting in Botanic Gardens but a grumpy old park keeper has other plans...
Eventually he is won round by romance and the couple gets to Reunite!
... It's hard to believe that's Belfast Mela 2018 over but we want to say a big thank you to our title sponsor SPAR NI for a fantastic first year in partnership, a huge thank you to all of our funders, supporters and partners, our presenters, performers, artists and volunteers and a huge thank you to all of YOU who came out and partied with us in the rain!
See you in 2019! . . Arts Council of Northern Ireland Belfast City Council UTV Northern Ireland U105 Radio Discover Northern Ireland Sensata Technologies SD Bells NI Executive Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Community Relations Council
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Carolyn and Paul have just announced that our big finale show Reunite starts on the main stage very soon. There will be participants in among you in the crowd, pyrotechnics (loud!) and colour powder thrown at the front so please be aware of this :)

Our amazing Bhangra headliner JassiSidhu has sent #BelfastMela wild!

Look at our beautiful wishing tree! People have been leaving their hopes and fears tied to the branches and when the wind blows they are carried away to the faeries! . . . .... .
Arts Council of Northern Irelandnorthern Belfast City Councilcouncil Discover Northern Irelandnorthern SPAR NINI NI ExecutiveEXE Equality Commission for Northern Irelandcommission Community Relations Council UTV Northern Ireland U105 Ni4kids
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Jewellery, crafts, clothes, gifts and even plants to be had at The Craft Village - plus more tasty free samples from SPAR NI!

Have you been to Feile An Droichead yet? Just opposite the Gathering Place at the front of the park near the QUB entrance. There will be some fantastic music on for a couple of hours starting in around 5 minutes time from Belfast Traditional Music Trail.
While you're there try some traditional Irish crafts like wood carving or straw making! . An Droichead Imeachtaí... Arts Council of Northern Ireland Belfast City Council Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Community Relations Council SPAR NI Discover Northern Ireland
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Hawaiian Dance workshops on now at the Rhythms of the World tent. Next up is Polish dance at 3.30 followed by hula hooping at 4! It's up on the pathway at the top entrance to the Tropical Ravine. @ Tropical Ravine

The tea connaisseurs of Belfast Mela are very happy right now! Robert Bell of SD Bells is telling the story of tea and later you'll get the chance to try their delicious teas and coffees.

Make sure to visit SPAR NI on the Great Lawn for free cookery demos, recipe booklets, food tasters and the chance to win amazing prizes!
Arts Council of Northern Ireland Belfast City Council UTV Northern Ireland... U105 Discover Northern Ireland Equality Commission for Northern Ireland Community Relations Council
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The delicious smells in The World Food Market have our tummies rumbling! So much choice including FREE tasty samples from @spar_ni @ Botanic Gardens

Chilli eating contest is on in Taste The World! Everyone's survived the first round but already Julian has to serve a cooling drink of milk! @ Botanic Gardens

Entries are open for the first chilli eating contest at 2.15 in Taste The World beside Tropical Ravine. Have you got what it takes?? @ Tropical Ravine

Five minute call for the first Dream a Little Dream show at the Tropical Ravine! Meet in the downstairs foyer for the show to start at 2pm.

Well what a start to #belfastmela 2018 with SPAR NI! We knew we could rely on you not to let a drop of rain put you off joining us for our opening procession! . . . Arts Council of Northern Ireland... Belfast City Council Discover Northern Ireland UTV Northern Ireland@utv Equality Commission for Northern Irelandcomm Community Relations Council
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Hi folks we've had a couple of messages checking #BelfastMela is still on - it takes more than a bit of rain to stop us partying at Mela! No delays or problems but if that changes of course we will let you know. We're reliably informed the rain will clear later and remember we've lots of indoor areas too. See you soon!

Arts Ekta shows are absolutely fabulous.

Arts Ekta shows are absolutely fabulous.

Arts Ekta shows are absolutely fabulous.