Céad Mela fáilte

This May Bank Holiday weekend, Cork’s Fitzgerald Park will play host to a cultural diversity festival featuring over 20 local groups.

The Cork Mela was launched last Thursday 26 March by Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, and founder and CEO of ArtsEkta Nisha Tandon. It will take place on Sunday 3 May from 1pm to 5pm in Fitzgerald Park.

The festival will feature a range of activities, including Bollywood dancing, global food, creative workshops, and live performances by local, national, and international artists.

Cllr Dennehy said it “promises to be a wonderful celebration of the incredible cultural diversity that enriches our city”.

“A powerful reminder of how much we gain when we embrace traditions and talents from across the globe, bringing all our communities together in a spirit of joy, unity, and mutual understanding.

“I encourage all our citizens to attend, enjoy the spectacular performances, and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that makes Cork such a wonderful place to live, work, and visit,” he said.

Also in attendance at the launch were local artists Tania Zor from Anahvac Mexican Dance Ireland (AMDIE); Paulo Farinha, Cork Capoeira; Ciara Murray, Cork Community Centre; and 96FM’s Ken Parrott, who will host the festival’s World Stage.

Nisha Tandon said the festival was inspired “by the global transitions of mela - gatherings that bring people together in celebration”.

“The Cork Mela is a new cultural festival for the city inviting everyone to experience the sounds, tastes and stories of cultures from around the world,” she said.

The festival includes over 20 groups from around Cork, representing many different cultures, which she said would produce an “afternoon of exciting live performances, creative workshops, and delicious global flavours”.

“The first ever Cork Mela will celebrate the creativity, resilience and imagination of the many cultures and communities in Cork,” she said.

The Cork Mela marks the first time that ArtsEkta has organised an event in the Republic of Ireland, and it is supported by Rethink Ireland.

ArtsEkta was founded in Belfast in 2006, and has become a leading voice for intercultural arts and community engagement across the island of Ireland.

Agnes O’Shaughnessy, Head of Social Enterprise at Rethink Ireland said that the organisation was “delighted to support ArtsEkta as it scales its impact from the north into the south”.

“Their work has consistently shown how arts and culture can build understanding, strengthen communities, and create spaces where everyone feels they belong,” she said.