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Middlesbrough Mela: Five things to get excited about

Middlesbrough Mela returns on August 17 and 18 to Albert Park.

Here’s five things you need to know about the cultural extravaganza.

It has a rich history

This year’s instalment will be the 34th Mela held in Middlesbrough. It’s one of the longest running Melas of its kind anywhere in the UK – a remarkable achievement for Middlesbrough.

Speaking to We are Middlesbrough in 2022, Kash Patel, Mela Executive Director, said: “We’re a proud area but we’re not the size of Birmingham or London. Yet every year we hold this incredible cultural event.

“We are diverse, we have our South Asian community but we welcome people from all over the world to Middlesbrough and our Mela.”

Mela

Middlesbrough Mela

Huge numbers of people travel to Middlesbrough

It started life as a small festival, allowing a few hundred people to come together to celebrate their culture.

Mela is Sanskrit for gathering and the festival was originally conceptualised for the migrant community to gather and celebrate their cuisine, clothing, art and culture.

Entertainment came later as the popularity of South Asian music exploded.

The colourful spectacle continued to grow and today attracts around 50,000 people across the weekend, boosting the town’s economy.

Middlesbrough Mela

Middlesbrough Mela

“Mela isn’t niche now,” said Kash. “It’s become popular culture in the western world.”

A diverse line-up of big names

Mela has always offered a mix of the best artists from the subcontinent with British acts.

Kash said that the massive boom in popularity of South Asian culture had seen artists travelling to the UK to perform, but now UK-based artists “are exporting the culture back to the subcontinent”.

Sunday’s headliner Roach Killa is a household name making his mark in Bollywood.

Topping Saturday’s bill will be the Hussain Brothers Qawaali Group who carry on an 800-year-old tradition.

Other acts to look out for across a packed weekend include award-winning singer-songwriter Roma Sagar, Birmingham-based duo Haseeb & Muki, British Asian actress, singer and model Rameet Sandhu and Bombay Funkadelic resident DJ Shai Guy.

The setting

Middlesbrough’s beautiful Albert Park is the gorgeous setting for the event, one of seven parks to hold the prestigious Green Flag award.

The park covers almost 30 hectares and is an oasis of green space just outside the town centre.

With a central tree-lined avenue, fountain and bandstand it’s usually the perfect place to walk the dog, meet friends, take the family, or just relax.

But on Mela weekend it’s transformed into a hive of activity – with a huge stage, colourful stalls a fun fair and a host of family activites.

A taste of the world

The Mela is also renowned for its dazzling array of mouth-watering food and drink with the best in South Asian cooking and world cuisine.

Food at Middlesbrough Mela

Food at Middlesbrough Mela

Mela Executive Director Kash Patel said: “Middlesbrough Mela is legendary for bringing some of the very best acts from around the globe to Albert Park, and this year is no exception.

“Our line-up for 2024 is one of our strongest ever and there really is something for everyone.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone for what will be a truly unforgettable weekend.”