Glasgow Mela attracts more than 20,000 to Kelvingrove Park for celebrations

Organisers welcomed 25,000 revellers to enjoy food, music and stalls in the city today.

The city’s annual celebration of its many diverse cultures and communities proved to be a huge hit as families were seen enjoying the electric atmosphere.

The event had many performers

Those who managed to join the event enjoyed the wonderful multi-cultural festival which brings music, dance, arts and vibrancy to the heart of Glasgow’s West End.

Despite the lack of sunshine, crowds still had a blast and even the rain couldn’t take the smiles off people’s faces throughout the eight-hour event.

The free event wasn’t ticketed and featured local artists and performers from midday until 8pm, drawing crowds out from across Scotland.

This meant people of all ages could enjoy the fun by watching the entertainment, trying new dishes from vendors and attending craft stalls.

There was also an artist in residence programme, sports programme, interactive storytelling and market clothing stalls as part of the festivities.

Major artist Jaz Dhami, who has millions of streams on Spotify, saw the audiences go wild as he headlined the main stage with an entire live band.

The stalls were packed

Other names that also played on the Navras Stage who proved to be big hits included Hunterz, Deesh Sandhu, Gubi Sandhu and Gtown Desi.

Meanwhile on the Hamara Stage performers cooked up a storm as crowds cheered on Fae Utero, Kedgeree, Chand Ali Khan Qawwal and Top Note.

The huge variety of musical styles and performances had people on their feet all day cheering for more.

As well as the acts putting on shows on two stages, more artists also showed off their talents throughout the day in an exciting programme of participatory activities, including the artist in residence who worked with the audience to create artworks.

Performers proved to be a big hit

The event also had multiple charity tables offering help to Muslim women in unsafe situations, disability aid charities, and health charities answering questions for those seeking healthy changes or those who have concerns.

Glasgow Mela programmers the Scottish-Asian Creative Artists’ Network said: “It has been an amazing Glasgow Mela in Kelvingrove Park and brilliant to have so many people come and see the artists perform, especially as so many of them are from Glasgow and Scotland.

“Thank you to everyone who came along and helped make it such a vibrant, colourful and joyful occasion.”

The celebrations turned into a huge party

Ahead of the event, bailie Annette Christie said: “The Glasgow Mela is a celebration for the city and its diversity which will bring people to Kelvingrove Park to enjoy some brilliant performances throughout the day.

“As always, it will be a vibrant occasion full of opportunity to enjoy music and dance and take part in arts and sports activity.

“It will be another unforgettable, free event which is part of a brilliant summer in Glasgow.”

The event pulled huge crowds

The Scottish-Asian Creative Artists’ Network added: “We’re delighted to be back to our usual format in Kelvingrove Park.

“We’ve missed the full Glasgow Mela experience as much as our audiences and can’t wait to bring you an exciting programme on and off the stage.

“We had some fantastic commissions this year continuing our mission to promote the visibility of artists and performers of South Asian heritage, their work and creativity.”

The Glasgow Mela has become an eagerly anticipated fixture on the cultural calendar of the city.

Glasgow’s first Mela was in 1990 as part of the European City of Culture and was an indoor celebration at the then newly opened Tramway.

Originating from Sanskrit and meaning “to meet” the concept of Mela has developed to represent a coming together of many from varied cultures to celebrate their shared diversity.

It has now grown to a massive outdoor event which attracts tens of thousands of visitors and dozens of artists and performers each year.