Pictures: Cork’s first Mela festival celebrates cultures from 20 nations at Fitzgerald Park

The first Cork Mela festival took place on Sunday at Fitzgerald Park, celebrating the city’s cultural diversity with participation from representatives of 20 nations and numerous local community groups.

Inspired by the global traditions of mela — gatherings that bring people together in celebration — the event drew large crowds for an afternoon of non-stop music, dance, food, wellbeing, fashion, and art from around the world.

Lord Mayor  Fergal Dennehy said the Mela festival reflected the cultural diversity that makes Cork a vibrant and welcoming place to live and visit.

“The Cork Mela is a powerful reminder of the richness we gain when we embrace the traditions, talents, and stories of communities from around the world."

Highlights of the festival included performances on the world and folk stages by the Ukrainian Community Choir, Voices of Young People Intercultural Choir, Mark Outsider & Kestine, Kabin Crew, AMDIE Mexican Dance, South Asian Dance Academy, Citadel, MTU Samba, Marathi Mandai, Cork Capoeira, Aatma Dance, Mexicans in Cork, Bangladeshi Association Cork, Lithuanian House Cork, and Trio Terra Nova.

The wonderful world of wellness area featured the Alchemy School of Yoga, SkySound Mindful Way Academy, and Karen Olivia Astrology.

There were culture land and workshop sessions from the Cork Puppetry Company, Dohman Green Society, Cork Circus Factory’ Saoirse Ethnic Hands on Deck, Cork Capoeira, Flying Lion, Dohman Green Society, and the Nepalese, Bolivian and Ukrainian communities in Cork.

Elsewhere, the Mela Food Village included flavours from around the world coming together in Fitzgerald Park.