Warrington Borough Council, in partnership with Warrington Ethnic Communities Association (WECA), has been awarded a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England of £22,376 towards the cost of this year’s Mela festival. 

Funding has also been awarded from the council’s Community Investment Fund (CIF), Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire. The funding will help engage with targeted groups from Warrington’s harder to reach communities that reflect the wide diversity of Warrington today. Before the festival, they will work with artists to create a piece of artwork or performance which will be presented at the Mela festival in a way that is accessible to their whole community and allows them to share their culture with others. 

The funding will enable this year’s Mela to be Warrington’s most ambitious and inclusive yet, with some of the very best of UK’s street theatre, puppetry and dance running alongside the community stage, a showcase for local talent celebrating Warrington’s diverse communities. 

Audiences will be enthralled by dance performances from Sonia Sabri Dance Company, giant puppetry by Inspirate and will be able to take part in dance workshops representing different cultures. There will also be an artisan market offering a range of food and crafts from different cultures. 

Cllr Tony Higgins, cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure said: “For the first time, Warrington Mela will connect Palmyra Square to Time Square, the heart of Warrington town centre. The day will celebrate ‘connections’ and bring people together, through culture, food, workshops and an arts programme that reflects the wide cultural diversity of Warrington today.

“This year’s Mela promises to be an inclusive feast of family fun, in a welcoming and accessible environment. There’ll be something for everyone!”.

Cllr Mo Hussain, Deputy Mayor of Warrington and Secretary of WECA said: “We are very thankful to Arts Council England for awarding us the funding and are very pleased that Warrington Mela is being recognised as a high quality arts festival which promotes cultural diversity across the town.”

For more visit: weca.org.uk/mela