Warrington Mela secures Arts Council funding
A festival of free street theatre, dance, music & food
The leading outdoor multi-cultural festival of free street theatre, dance, music, food and colliding cultures is returning to Warrington again this August after securing public funding through Arts Council England.
Warrington Borough Council, in partnership with Warrington Ethnic Communities Association (WECA), and with the support of Culture Warrington and Warrington BID, has once again been awarded a National Lottery Project Grant from Arts Council England towards the cost of this year’s festival. Funding has also been awarded from UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Warrington Council, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service and from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire. This year’s event will also be sponsored by Cadent Gas Ltd.
Warrington Mela 2025 will take place on Sunday 31 August, spread across two locations, Palmyra Square and Time Square. The two sites will be linked through a complementary programme and a processional performance which leads to a grand finale. More details of the programme will be released in the coming weeks, but it promises something for everyone with stunning professional and community performances of dance, drumming, music, singing and an artisan market offering a range of food and crafts from different cultures.
A feature of the day will be giant puppets, created by Manchester’s Nutkhut for the Platinum Jubilee Pageant celebrations in Central London in 2022. Seen by over a billion people worldwide, the puppets are draped in the world’s first sustainable Sari fabric and are stunning examples of British creativity and diversity, bringing life, movement and technicolour to the streets of Warrington.
Cllr Jean Flaherty, cabinet member for communities, culture and leisure said: “Following the huge success of last year’s event we are again hosting Mela over two sites, Palmyra Square and Time Square, the heart of Warrington town centre. The day will celebrate the different cultures in Warrington and bring people together, through culture, food, workshops and an arts programme that reflects the wide cultural diversity that exists in our town today.
“The theme of Mela 2025 will be ‘Home’ and by exploring this theme with some of our local communities, we aim to foster a sense of unity and shared humanity, breaking down misconceptions and building empathy.”
Cllr Mo Hussain, Mayor of Warrington and WECA executive member said: “We are very thankful to Arts Council England for awarding us the funding to allow us to develop Warrington Mela into a vibrant celebration of multiculturalism that resonates deeply with our communities.
“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, showcasing the rich tapestry of traditions within Warrington.”
For more visit: weca.org.uk/mela