Cultures come together for the Maidstone Mela
More than 3,000 people attended the annual celebration of music, food and dance from around the globe at Maidstone Community Mela in Whatman Park.
The event, organised by a small group of community partners and volunteers led by Kent Equality Cohesion Council, the Maidstone Cultural Group and Cohesion Plus, has proved popular since it was founded by the borough’s then mayor, Morel D’Souza, in 2003.
This year’s celebrations were started by the current holder of that office, Cllr Marion Ring, assisted by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent Bill Cockcroft and the Mela producer Gurvinder Sandher.
They were treated to performances from the Phase Five Steel Band, folk band Ukelear Fallout, the Maidstone Nepalese Community Group, the Maidstone Malayalee Association and the Kitka Bulgarian Folk Dance Troupe.
The Folkin Fusion Collective added a high energy show bringing together music and dance from North India and Southern Africa which featured Four by Four Bhangra and the Uzambezi Arts, with the Kings of Motown headlining the event.
Off stage, there were Indian, Chinese and Nepalese food stalls alongside burgers, doughnuts, hot dogs and a Prosecco bar. Mr Sandher said: “I am very proud of what we achieved this year. People do not always appreciate how small the team is that puts the Mela on, but all the hard work is worthwhile when you get so many people turning up and supporting us.
“The Mela is so important for Maidstone, with its ethos to use food, music and dance to bring communities together and celebrate all we hold in common.” A little bit of Nepal came to Yalding on Saturday.
The Kirat Yakthung Chumlung (KYC), which promotes the welfare and cultural identity of the Limbu people of Eastern Nepal, purchased 25 acres of land off Benover Road in Yalding to hold its festivities, with its first event on Saturday.
Around 4,000 people attended from across the UK for a festival of music, dance and costume.
Group secretary Ganesh Ijam, who lives in Ashford, said: “We held a number of traditional competitions and presented certificates to members who have given particular support to the community during the past year.”
Yalding is likely to be the venue for many events in the future.