London Mela to combine with Eid celebrations

The Mela, which is Europe's largest outdoor festival of Asian culture, is hoping to beat last year's visitor numbers after it attracted 92,000 people in 2011.

Backed by the Mayor of London, it will take place in Gunnersbury Park with performances from more than 300 artists from around the world.

It will host the Mayor of London's celebrations for the Muslim festival of Eid for the first time this year, after they were moved from their usual location in Trafalgar Square to make way for the London Live site during the Paralympics.

A dedicated Eid stage will hold performances from Islamic artists such as U-Cef, Celt Islam, Seddik and the Seeds of Creation and dance artist Tara Ibrahim, the only female Egyptian whirling dervish dancer in the UK.

On the main bill is music such as Bhangra from Jaz Dhami and Chinese act Red Poppy, who were part of the Beijing Games. There will also be DJs, street art and live comedy spread across nine zones, including a kids zone and the 'In Conversation With' tent.

The Philharmonia Orchestra will perform the London premiere of Indra, a piece by Gustav Holst telling a story of the Hindu god of rain and storm struggling with a dragon.

Let us know what you think by commenting below.

For more in-depth and print-only features, showcases and interviews with world-leading brands, don't miss the next issue of Event magazine by subscribing here.

Follow @louiseridley