Bangladesh Mela… A festival to celebrate and share rich Bangladeshi culture with the wider community

Channel S, Reports on Mela

ATN Reports on the British Museum

Glimpse From
Networking & Promotion Event:

Andrew Burnett, Deputy Director of the
British Museum and Councillor Nasim Ali
(Ex Chair, until May 2010)

Enam Ali MBE,
Founder of British Curry Awards &
Special Advisor to the Committee

Councillor Keith Moffitt
Leader of The Council

Jamal Uddin, Strategic Business Consultant
& Special Advisor to the Committee
with David Bieda, Chair-The Seven Dials Trust

Laura Philips – British Museum

Samina Dewan, Chair, Mela Committee

Allama Siddiqui, Deputy High Commissioner
For The People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Members & Guests

Members & Guests

Mela Committee Members 2010

Photography Credits: Sadia, LDH

“It was inspiring to see the turnout and more inspiring to meet such a variety of different people who are all interested in the Camden Mela and what it has to offer.”
- Maddy Fisk, Mary Ward Centre.

PRESS Downloads:
- Press Photos
- Press Release (doc)
- Press Release (pdf)

2010

Bangla News Report

BRITISH MUSEUM is proudly exhibiting The MELA Art Project from 07.07.10 to 16.07.10 and hosting the Bangladesh Family Day on Saturday 10th of July from 12pm - 4pm. The Events include Rickshaw Fusion exhibition, other art works, family activities and Bengali Dance Drama.

Click for google map (opens in new window)

PRESS ENQUIRIES: Sadia 07850 405 639,
sadia@londondesignhouse.com

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2010

click to enlarge

THE MELA 2010 attracting thousands of visitors on Sunday the 4th of July, amidst local and international media, celebrated the cultural cohesion in the heart of bustling London.

PRESS Downloads:
- Press Photos
- Press Release (doc)
- Press Release (pdf)

This year thousands of people gathered to celebrate the melting pot art and culture of modern Britain in style at The Mela 2010 held on Sunday the 4th of July, organised by the Central London Communities.

The Mela is a cross-cultural event for all ages aimed to promote cultural cohesion, integration, and enhance communication and interactions through involvement in various arts and community activities.

People were enjoying the music, dance, artworks, crafts, fashion show, open stage talent show, youth performances, children’s activities, health activities, funfair & rides, henna paintings, variety stalls, information stands, stunning displays & exhibitions, and of course the delicious Mela orientated food & drinks!

Some of the crowd can be seen here enjoying performing arts at the Mela 2010 held in Regent's Park, London

The festival took place in London’s Regent’s Park (and Primrose Hill) – one of the eight Royal Parks visited by millions of Londoners and tourists each year. As well as the legendary guest artist, Mac, from the sub-continent, the main stage included performers from all sections of the local communities.

As usual, The Mela facilitated a dedicated youth stage for the young and ambitious members of the society to show-off their talents and skills – in a recognisable fashion. Indeed, it serves as a spring-board to launch their career in arts and media. An important aspect of this is to channel youth energy into shaping a tolerant and sustainable multiracial and multicultural society for the future.

As our Prime Minister Rt. Hon. David Cameron said at the British Curry Awards 2009 “This Britain, this modern diverse, multi racial, multi talented Great Britain – this is here to stay.”

In his foreword to the Mela souvenir, patron Enam Ali MBE said: "I realise however that there are real challenges for the future. That is one reason why it is good to celebrate the success of inter communal harmony. Celebrating success helps to inspire others too."

Mac, the guest artist performing at the Mela 2010 held in Regent's Park, London

In a message to the Mela committee Mac said: “It does feel good to be in the fold of a lot of wonderful and exuberant people in the UK - much as it gives me great pleasure to be invited to perform with some fine musicians at the Mela.”

When asked what differentiates this Mela, the committee secretary Maddy Fisk said: “This Mela is unique in the sense that it is ingrained in the community. It showcases the success and achievements of our women & children, our schools & colleges, our cultural & community centres, and our private & public sector social initiatives. It is inspiring to see the turnout and more inspiring to meet such a variety of different people.”

“Through this Mela we are always engaged in promoting public issues such as various Safety initiatives, Mental Health education, social responsibilities, etc.” added the spokesperson, Sadia Jafreen.

Samina Dewan (Chair), Jonathan Simpson (Mayor of Camden), Sofina Razzaque (member), Sadia Jafreen (Creative & Media Planning) out and about visiting and enjoying the wonderful arrangements of Arts, Crafts, Stands, Stalls, Exhibitions, and Performances at the Mela 2010 held in London's Regent's Park.

What started as a small Bangladeshi community gathering in 1992, expanded its reach to a London-wide and now nation-wide celebration, backed by well known institutions and organisations such as The British Museum, Royal Parks, British Land, London Borough of Camden, London Design House, The Metropolitan Police, Mary Ward Centre, South Camden Community School, Art Colleges, King’s Cross Central, Primary Care Trust, Sky Channels 814 (Channel S), 827 (ATN), 844 (Channel i) and Purple-i Technologies to name but a few.

The committee welcomes everyone to visit the British Museum from Tuesday 6th July for displays of community works and next Saturday 10th of July from 12pm - 4pm, for a dedicated exhibition of The MELA Art Project, dance drama and family activities.

PRESS & MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Sadia 07850 405 639
sadia@londondesignhouse.com

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Download: Press Release | Press Photos

The Networking Event organised by the Camden Bangladesh Mela Committee focussed on:

Generating awareness of the Mela’s activities and the benefits it brings to the society.
Promoting the Mela to the wider communities.
Raising funds through sponsorship and other involvements.

The Event served as an ideal opportunity for guests & delegates to explore how they can get involved at all levels, whether it be Sponsorship, Joining the Mela Committee, Marketing or Volunteering.

It was an enjoyable evening of celebration and networking whilst being entertained by key speakers, a beautiful and lively dance performance and a colourful exhibition of arts, pictures and videos from the Mela events.

The feedbacks received from all were excellent. People were impressed with the diversity of organisations involved in the Committee and the numbers of volunteers supporting the event, which shows a universal appeal and demand for the vibrant annual event – the Mela.

For further information
contact via email info@camdenbangladeshmela.org

The Mela is brought to you by the Mela Committee in association with:

...and with the generous help and support from our Media Partners:

Sky 814

Sky 827

...and participants without whom Mela would not be as vibrant as it is:

Design & Publicity: London Design House

The Mela	Businesses & Organisations	Contacts	The Committee
Introduction	Sponsorships, partnerships, promotions, stalls and adverts	Key contact information	The 2010 Mela Committee

'Mela' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'gathering' or 'to meet' or a Fair. It is used in the Subcontinent for all sizes of gathering and can be religious, commercial, or cultural. Traditionally Mela means 'Village Fair'. ‘The Mela’ held each year in the heart of London celebrates and shares the culture of London's multi racial communities. It is a feast of sights, sounds, smells and tastes featuring bazaars, folk troupes, traditional and contemporary British & Ethnic music and dance. Started life in 1992, it is the first of its kind to be held in London involving local organisations, community groups, schools, colleges, and institutions such as the British Museum and the British Library. From its humble beginnings as a small Bangladeshi community festival, it has been dubbed as ‘The Camden Mela’, ‘The Regent’s Park Mela’, ‘The Central London Mela’, and for obvious reasons ‘The Bangladesh Mela’. The Mela has grown to such an extent that it represents an opportunity for the wider communities to get together, regardless of their background, and work towards a festive occasion through involvement in various educational and arts projects that promote appreciation and understanding of various cultures in one of the world's greatest multicultural city. The Mela uses arts to challenge the negative perceptions of multiculturalism; it aims to breakdown the barriers to give way to social inclusion, integration, and harmony whilst appreciating diversity for a healthy society. Serving as an ideal outlet the Mela showcases the outcome of activities carried out throughout the year by the schoolchildren and their parents as well as the youth organisations and community centres in Central London. All in all, it culminates into a spectacular event for all ages to enjoy in the height of the British summer organised by the Mela committee in association with Camden Council, Royal Parks, British Land and the British Museum.	There are various options available for getting involved. The Mela committee welcomes new ideas and opportunities, if you would like to discuss yours please get n touch. Mela opens up new avenues for Businesses and Organisations in all sectors to interact with social groups directly and promote their activities in a setting where people are more receptive of information. Depending on your specialities, you may promote product developments, services, health information, lifestyle, and various safety awareness initiatives such as drinks & drugs, speed, fire, personal safety, etc. Becoming a key sponsor, partner, advertiser, or getting involved by running an information stand, food stall or other activities helps fund the organising of this much needed social event (see the Mela introduction) for the community and not to mention increase your brand profile. The event generates a lot of media interests and is extensively publicised and promoted by everyone involved, including: TV channels, newspapers, libraries, schools, colleges, local councils, royal parks, museums, MPs, councillors, social networking sites, to name a few. The Mela Committee is expecting a massive show with a spectacular audience level of 20,000+. SPECTRUM OF VISITORS National Scope; All Community & Age Groups WEBSITE VISITORS National & International; Peak hits per month, June 2010: 725,562 May 2010: 565,344 The Events are Free for all to attend.	The Mela Chadswell Healthy Living Centre Lower Ground, Harrison Street London WC1H 8JE BECOMING A SPONSOR/SUPPORTER Samina 020 7580 4576 Sadia 07850 405 639 info@camdenbangladeshmela.org TAKING UP A STALL Sofina 020 7713 5545 Reza 07811 055 065 info@camdenbangladeshmela.org ADVERTISING PROGRAMS publicity materials, websites and email campaigns Sadia 07850 405 639 sadia@londondesignhouse.com Click for Booking Form 2010 PRESS ENQUIRIES Sadia 07850 405 639 sadia@londondesignhouse.com Jamal j.uddin@UCLmail.net CONNECT WITH THE MELA CamdenBangladeshMela.org THE PATRONS Enam Ali MBE – Spice Biz Magazine, British Curry Awards Jamal Uddin – London Design House, Evon Business, Marketing & PR Consultancy Abdul Haque – Channel S, Purple i Technologies design, publicity & media direction: London Design House Copyright © 1992 - 2010 Camden Bangladesh Mela All rights reserved	FITZROVIA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE Samina Dewan (Chair) CAMDEN COUNCIL Councillor Nasim Ali (Chair until May 2010) CORAM PARENTS CENTRE Tasneem Khan (Treasurer) MARY WARD CENTRE Maddy Fisk (Secretary) LONDON DESIGN HOUSE Sadia Jafreen (Creative & Media Planning) BRITISH MUSEUM Laura Phillips KING'S CROSS BRUNSWICK NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION Sofina Razzaque Harun Kaji Cllr Abdul Hai MELA CULTURAL CO-ORDINATORS Rina Khan Humayun Kabir Ayas SOUTH CAMDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Anna Woodfield until April 2010 Colleen Maybin from April 2010 Tia Clarke CAMDEN YOUTH & CONNEXION SERVICE Mukith Miah Karim Ullah HOPSCOTCH ASIAN WOMEN CENTRE Lucky Khan BANGLAR SUR Syed Rafiqul Islam Suhel REZA TALUKDER NASIMA KHANOM MOMOTAZ BEGUM