'We share what we do with love' - Mela festival celebrates 20th anniversary

It's hard to think of Belfast Mela as anything other than a massive, multi-day, cultural celebration of music, dance, arts and food.

But as the festival found its feet in its early years, it was much smaller. It attracted 500 people and its founder thought it would only last a short time.

Fast forward to 2026, and it is established as one of Northern Ireland's largest arts festivals, celebrating cultural diversity.

As it marks its 20th anniversary, those who have taken part over the years and helped it grow, have been sharing their stories about why they love Mela.

Nisha Tandon, founder of ArtsEkta, brought the idea of Mela to life based on the principles of inclusivity, creativity and openness.

Mela is a Sanskrit word meaning "to meet".

Tandon initially thought the celebration "might last two or three years at most", but it has grown into a much-celebrated annual fixture.

On Saturday, it will again fill Belfast city centre with colour and rhythm.

Around 16 years ago, contemporary and Mexican folk dancer Mayte Segura was convinced to perform alongside her friend at Belfast Mela.

She has been involved ever since saying it is now bigger, better and more vibrant.

"I just love it. It's amazing to be together and I just love the costumes. I love all the cultures and the way that people do their own art," she said.

Segura believes art plays a big role in meeting people positively and has faced no negativity while participating.

"We share what we do with love, with respect, with an aim to integrate and communicate and we try to move people in that sense," she said.

Segura currently dances at Mela with her own group Mexican Dance Belfast.

"We always have nice audiences at the Mela, and I hope if even one or two or three were inspired by us, that will be enough," she added.

When Séamas Ó Labhradha first started helping out with Mela, it was in the Ulster Hall where people only popped in out of curiosity.

Performing for as long as he can remember, he said "each year it just blossomed more and got bigger".

"It was a lot smaller than the Mela we have today, but it was great fun," he reflected.

Ó Labhradha would take part in a range of cultural events at Mela such as drumming for the lion dancing team and playing the bagpipes.

He believes the festival has made people more aware of other cultures and broken down barriers.

He said Belfast is a "completely different world" that has become far more inclusive and diverse.

"I grew up in a political Belfast where you were green or orange, where you only took part in your own culture's activities," he said.

"Whereas now, the Mela has opened up so much to people."

Caroyln Stewart was thrilled when she was asked to host Mela around 16 years ago.

"I grew up in north Belfast, being one of very few people with brown skin. I sort of look at Mela as you know, I wish it was there when I was a kid. Just to bring all types of people together," she said.

"The diversity, music and food, it all just made sense."

Seeing communities coming together and families being introduced to new cultures is what drives her to return to host every summer.

"I can't see why you couldn't embrace that. It's a beautiful day out.

"I have watched Mela grow and develop over the years, it's just going from strength to strength."

Luke McFarlane has been involved in Mela, circus and arts performances for 17 years.

Now 25, he recalled his first time at the festival.

"I remember it being huge, as much as an eight-year-old can take in scale, the food was fantastic," he said.

From volunteering to performing with the Chinese lion and dragon, he says that the "huge celebration" is open to all people to celebrate their cultures.

"The arts is very much a massive part of my life, even though I work full-time. I try to dedicate myself to continue that, I think it's very important in our city," he said.

"What's kept me coming back is, it's always good craic."

This year's festival kicks off with the Mela Carnival on Saturday 22 August where there will be a colourful parade.

There will be more than 800 performers, musicians and dancers.

It will start at 12:30 BST from Writers Square, continue down Royal Avenue and finish at city hall.

One of the highlights will be a new outdoor production called Earth Child to mark the Belfast Mela's 20th anniversary.

It will take place at the Titanic Slipways at 20:00 BST on Sunday 23 August. This will combine aerial theatre, original live music, global drumming, dance, fireworks and more.

There will be events throughout the week before Mela Day returns to Botanic Gardens on Sunday 30 August, with five stages, global street food, family activities and performances from around the world.

A full list of festival events can be found here.