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Warrington’s leading multi-cultural outdoor festival of free street theatre, dance, music, food and colliding cultures, Warrington Mela will take place on Sunday 15th September 2024 in its iconic home Palmyra Square and the newly revitalised Time Square.
Warrington’s multicultural outdoor festival, Warrington Mela, returns on Sunday 15th September, bringing an exciting fusion of street theatre, dance, music, food and global cultures to the heart of the town.
Now in its 12th year, Warrington Mela will feature the best of the UK’s street theatre, puppetry and dance, with highlights including performances by the Sonia Sabri Dance Company and giant puppetry by Inspirate. The festival will also include the Community Stage, a showcase for local talent representing the rich communities of Nigeria, India, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.
Get ready for a day of celebration, connection and community, where the sights, sounds, and flavours of the world come together in Warrington town centre.
In a first for the event, Warrington Mela will connect Palmyra Square to Time Square, the heart of Warrington town centre, celebrating the theme of ‘connections’ by bringing people together through culture, food and a diverse arts program. Audiences of all ages can immerse themselves in dance workshops, an artisan market featuring food and crafts from various cultures, and a Global Food Kitchen.
Get ready for a day of celebration, connection and community, where the sights, sounds, and flavours of the world come together in Warrington town centre.
“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!”
“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 that promotes cultural diversity across the town.”
Made possible through funding from Arts Council England.
by Thingumajig Theatre
With miniature puppet shows inside a big, rolling mule puppet, the timeless theme of migration is packaged up in Thingumajig’s latest street act.
A pack mule with its beautiful burden of tales is joined by two well-travelled companions. Bags and cases open to reveal stories and songs of remarkable journeys from the staggering sojourn of a butterfly to people past and present who set out in search of a better life.
by Sonia Sabri Company
Join Elnaz the Elephant and Dholli the Drummer on their individual journeys of self-discovery, as they explore themes of perception and body positivity. Watch as our dynamic duo are brought together by their shared love of dance and music.
A vibrant, interactive performance for all the family.
by Inspirate
Inspired by the ancient South Asian tales she’s heard throughout her childhood, a young girl called Shanti imagines a battle between Hanuman the Monkey God and Ravana the Demon King.
This epic encounter is brought to life through an extraordinary
fusion of large scale puppetry, dance and martial arts.
Join these 10ft puppets as they interact with the audience and eventually confront each other in a dramatic finale.
This year, the festival will be more ambitious and inclusive than ever, thanks to the generous support of Warrington Borough Council, in partnership with Warrington BID, Warrington Ethnic Communities Association (WECA) and a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England.
Additional funding from the council’s Community Investment Fund (CIF), Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, has been secured to engage with Warrington’s harder-to-reach communities.
These funds will support the creation of artwork and performances by local artists and community members, which will be showcased at the festival, providing a platform for these communities to share their unique cultures with others.
The voice of the town centre brought to you by the businesses of Warrington BID