Festival a chance to defy terrorist hatemongers
Celebration of unity and diversity takes place next Saturday
It’s back, but not as you know it.
This summer, the Maidstone Mela is making a return to a static site in the County Town.
The Mela, a celebration of the town’s cultural diversity with food, music and dance from across the world, was first held in 2003 at Mote Park.
It continued at that venue until last year, when it took the form of a street event in the town centre.
This year, the Mela will be at Whatman Park, from 12.30pm to 6pm on Sunday July 16.
Gurvinder Sandher, chief executive of organisers Kent Equality Cohesion Council, said: “We have a really good line-up of stage shows. There’s lots of offstage activities, too, and there will be food from around the globe.”
He said the Mela was the ideal opportunity for people to celebrate cultural diversity and also shared values.
He said: “At this time in particular, it’s important for people from different communities to come together and to stick two fingers up at those terrorists from all sides who have sought to cause division and hatred.”
There will be performances from The Emeralds Steel Band, Reel Eire Irish Dancing, Kitka Bulgarian Folk, Maidstone Nepalese Community, Four by Four Bhangra, Ed Sheeran tribute act Jack Shepherd, and global Bhangra superstar Jassi Sidhu.
Off-stage there will be drumming workshops, face painting and creative arts workshops.
Mr Sandher praised volunteers who had worked together to ensure the Mela continued this year, despite Maidstone council withdrawing its funding.
Previous festivals were run jointly with the council, but – aside from supplying the venue free of charge – Maidstone bor- ough has not backed this year’s event.
Mr Sandher said: “It has been a struggle to raise the £15,000 we needed. We have done so with a grant from the Arts Council, donations from local businesses, and with £1,200 donated by KCC councillors.
“It may be a smaller Mela this year, but we are determined to make it a big success.”