Click here for a map to show the location of Melas in Europe.
The network is currently funded by the Arts Council of England.
In addition, members pay a subscription to the organisation. In its early years of development the EMN received in-kind support from Bradford Council, the University of Greenwich, Fonda, Nutkhut, Melange Network, The Edinburgh Mela, Multi Asian Arts, Oriental Arts, ArtAsia, The New Art Exchange, Horisont and Unity Organisation.
Pic by Lindsay Snedden
The term ‘Mela’ comes from a Sanskrit word which means ‘gathering’. Melas have traditionally been community events in the Asian sub-continent which can involve dance, music, fashion, food and sometimes film. They can also be trade fairs and large religious gatherings.
Melas have become increasingly prominent within the cultural calendar wherever south Asians have settled around the World.
In Europe there are over 90 melas every year, some of which have gradually developed from small-scale community-based events to large scale celebrations.
Melas are a means of raising the visibility of diasporic cultures in Western countries.
Pic of Shilpgram Utsav, Rajasthan by Alan Tweedie
The EMN has grown from a desire by Mela organisers to have a body that represents mela interests and promotes understanding of what melas do. EMN is an independently constituted organisation with an Executive Committee made up of members who represent Melas and Mela interests in Europe.
Click here to find out more about how we work with our members.
EMN is managed by an Executive Committee, representative of various regions. The members are:
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