Latest news with #GlasgowMela
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
More than 21,000 people flock to Kelvingrove Park for Glasgow Mela
This year's festival took place on Sunday, June 22. Despite the rainy start to the day, the largest South Asian festival of its kind in Scotland treated festivalgoers to performances from acts like Gtown Desi, Saloni, and Maya Lakhani. (Image: Kris Kesiak for Glasgow Life) The event, which is delivered by the charity Glasgow Life, is described as a "gathering" and is a South Asian celebration of Glasgow's diverse communities. It aims to promote local artists and their cultural heritage. Read more: Greek's anger at Rangers' Champions League venue advantage 'We blew it' - Bernardo admits to shock Portugal Euro U21s defeat Glasgow Jazz Festival concludes 39th edition with record-breaking performances Attendees sampled food from around the world, joined in a variety of sports, and took part in discussions and workshops on themes including health and wellbeing through the arts, music and memory, and the role of South Asian artists in experimental practices. There was also a collaboration with Glasgow Life Museums' Intercultural Youth Group to support the Scottish-Asian Creative Artists' Network's aim to discuss key issues within and for South Asian communities. (Image: Kris Kesiak for Glasgow Life) Bailie Annette Christie, chair of Glasgow Life and convenor for culture, sport and international relations for Glasgow City Council, said: "Seeing thousands of people pack out Kelvingrove Park for the Glasgow Mela is always a sight to behold. "The 2025 Mela proved why Glasgow is known the world over as a diverse, multicultural city full of artistic talent. "The Mela is a firm favourite in Glasgow's cultural events calendar and provides fantastic free performances and a fun day out for everyone. (Image: Kris Kesiak for Glasgow Life) "This year was particularly special as the spirit of Glasgow 850 was woven into the programme. "Throughout the year we are seeing our established city events and festivals really embracing what this special year means to them and using the themes of the year and storytelling to excite, educate and entertain their audiences." The festival was awarded £50,000 from Creative Scotland for 2025-26 and will benefit from £169,100 of funding over the next three years.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Glasgow Mela draws big crowd to Kelvingrove Park
Scotland's largest South Asian festival drew more than 21,000 people to Kelvingrove Park on hailed crowds at the Glasgow Mela as "a sight to behold", with live music, art and workshops on offer throughout the also sampled food from around the world and tried their hand at a mix of sports including tennis, pickleball, kabaddi and was the 35th edition of the event, after it started in 1990 as part of Glasgow's European City of Culture celebrations. Bailie Annette Christie, chairwoman of organisers Glasgow Life, said: "Seeing thousands of people pack out Kelvingrove Park for the Glasgow Mela is always a sight to behold. "The 2025 Mela proved why Glasgow is known the world over as a diverse, multicultural city full of artistic talent. The Mela is a firm favourite in Glasgow's cultural events calendar and provides fantastic free performances and a fun day out for everyone."This year was particularly special as the spirit of Glasgow 850 was woven into the programme." Acts including Gtown Desi, Saloni and Maya Lakhani performed at the Mela, which means means "gathering" in aims to promote local artists and their rich cultural heritage, with funding provided by Creative Scotland.
Glasgow Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow Life announces 2025 Summer of Events programme
The programme will offer a dynamic mix of free and low-cost cultural events and family-friendly entertainment across some of Glasgow's most iconic venues and public spaces. The summer festivities will kick off with the Glasgow Mela on Sunday, June 22, in Kelvingrove Park. READ MORE: Ally McCoist dubbed 'Scotland's James Bond' after Easter posts The city's signature multicultural festival, the Mela, will showcase an eclectic mix of music, dance, and arts, featuring performers from Glasgow, across Scotland, and around the world. Acts already confirmed include Gtown Desi, Saloni, and Maya Lakhani. Alongside the main stage performances, visitors can sample a range of international cuisine and take part in sporting activities such as kabaddi, volleyball, tennis, and pickleball. Kelvingrove Bandstand will host panel discussions and workshops exploring themes like health and wellbeing through the arts, music and memory, and the role of South Asian artists in experimental practices. (Image: Kris Kesiak) A special collaboration with Glasgow Life Museums' Intercultural Youth Group will also be featured during the event. Following the Mela, the spotlight will shift to the Merchant City Festival, which returns from Friday, July 18, to Sunday, July 20. Transforming the heart of the city into a hub of live music, performance, circus, and dance, this year's theme, Fair: Play, celebrates Glasgow's traditional Fair Fortnight. The festival will include programming from Scotland's children's theatre agency Imaginate, outdoor arts collective Surge Festival, and Bridgeman Arts. Newly commissioned street performances from Scotland, England, Ireland, and Wales will debut as part of the Four Nations bursary programme. In celebration of Glasgow's 850th anniversary as a Burgh, this year's festival will launch with a mass participation ceilidh, blending tradition and celebration in true Glaswegian style. READ MORE: Glaswegians warned of holiday chaos as mass protests planned at hotspot The summer will come to a rousing close with the World Pipe Band Championships, taking place at Glasgow Green on Friday, August 15, and Saturday, August 16. The event will see the best pipers and drummers from around the globe compete for the prestigious world title. Running alongside the championships will be Piping Live!, Scotland's largest piping festival, which will take place from August 11 to 17, featuring performances, competitions, and cultural events throughout the city. (Image: Alan Harvey - SNS Group) Billy Garrett, director of culture, tourism, and events at Glasgow Life, said the summer programme is a cornerstone of the city's cultural calendar. He said: 'There is a lot to get excited about in Glasgow this summer, with the Mela, Merchant City Festival and World Pipe Band Championships promising fantastic days out and a chance to make unforgettable memories with family and friends. "Our Summer of Events programme is central to the city's cultural events calendar and helps to improve people's mental, physical and economic wellbeing by offering something fun for everyone to enjoy.' READ MORE: Cult-favourite Glasgow sandwich spot to join city's new food hub The Glasgow Mela and Merchant City Festival were among seven successful applications by Glasgow Life for Creative Scotland's Multi-Year Funding for 2025 to 2028. On January 30, Creative Scotland confirmed that the Mela will receive £50,000 in 2025–26, with total funding of £169,100 across three years. This year's Merchant City Festival will benefit from £62,834 in funding, with a total award of £227,167 over the same period. Glasgow's 2025 Summer of Events is shaping up to be a season to remember. To keep up with the latest announcements and full event details, residents and visitors alike are encouraged to subscribe to the Glasgow Life newsletter.
