4 July 2008
Edinburgh Mela calls for volunteers
The Edinburgh Mela festival is looking for volunteers to
work beside performers from all over the world during its week-long run at the
end of August.
Mela organisers are looking for people to work with behind
the scenes with performers and also to ensure an efficient ‘front of
house' service for the Mela's audience.
This year the Mela has around 40 separate events planned in
and around Ocean Terminal in Leith between August 25 and 31. A large outdoor
area will encompass a big top, outdoor stage, stalls and children's area.
Large scale evening events will take place within Ocean Terminal itself, as
will the popular fashion parade and other exhibitions and performances.
With a programme that includes aerial performances,
traditional African music, gospel singing, Indian dance, tango and flamenco,
volunteers will find themselves working with a variety of performers.
The Edinburgh Mela's volunteer co-ordinator Karen
Veitch said:
"Getting involved with something like the Mela is a
great experience for anyone interested in world culture, music and the arts. We
want our Volunteer Team to be a diverse one and so are keen to hear from people
from all backgrounds. Our volunteers will experience being part of a busy team
that needs to deliver professional support as part of a successful Mela. They
will also be able to use us as referees for future work."
Mela organisers have approached universities and local
community centres and libraries in search of volunteers but anyone is welcome
to apply.
The Mela website - www.edinburgh.mela.co.uk - has
full details and application information available or people can email [email protected].
The Volunteering Scheme that
the Edinburgh Mela Festival is setting up this year. They are looking for
people from all over the world to volunteer to become part of the team and help
out with Mela activities throughout August.
In return the volunteer will gain invaluable festival
experience by being part of the Edinburgh Mela Festival - Scotland's
leading celebration of cultural diversity through the arts - and will
also be given the following:
- A volunteer training session, which will give them
a chance to meet fellow volunteering colleagues.
- Travel expenses to and
from the Festival. - A meal per shift plus
refreshments from our hospitality area. - An Edinburgh Mela team
T-shirt and steward's jacket. - An Edinburgh Mela
Programme - Free tickets to some of
the Festival events. - An invitation to a
volunteer thank you event.
Deadline for applications will be 22nd July.
For more information contact Shaheena Abbas [email protected] or
Esther Black [email protected]
- The
Edinburgh Mela Festival was founded in 1995 by members of the city's
minority ethnic communities, and one of its key objectives was to reflect
and celebrate Scotland's cultural diversity. - Full
programme is available on www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk or contact Edinburgh Mela office on 0131 347
2600 - Liam
Sinclair took the post of Director of the Edinburgh Mela Festival last
October following four years as Head of YouthWorks Drama at the Royal
Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD). There he was responsible for
the youth and community drama programmes as well as activities that
promoted diversity and inclusion within the performing arts. A graduate of
the RSAMD he has also worked as a Programme Manager for Common Purpose and
Education Development Officer for The City of Edinburgh Council. He sits
on a number of Boards, including The Board of Birds of Paradise Theatre
Company of which he is Chair. - The
Edinburgh Mela Festival is funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, the
Scottish Arts Council and The Scottish Government. Its major sponsor
is Forth Ports Plc with additional sponsorship from Lothian and Borders
Police, NHS Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, Unison and Lothian
Buses. - Forth
Ports PLC owns and operates the Ports of Grangemouth, Leith, Rosyth,
Methil and Burntisland on the River Forth, the Port of Dundee on the River
Tay and Port of Tilbury on the River Thames. Forth Ports PLC is also a
significant landowner with extensive property interests and a number of
high profile developments. These include the Scottish Government offices
and Ocean Terminal shopping centre - home to the former Royal Yacht
Britannia - at Leith, the Western Harbour, Granton Harbour and Leith Docks
developments on Edinburgh's waterfront, and the City Quay
development at Dundee. - Tickets
for events at the Mela Festival are available through the Hub, Castlehill,
Edinburgh. www.hubtickets.co.uk or phone 0131 473 2000. Site passes can be bought on the day. - A
report in 2005 revealed the Mela's contribution to the local economy
was £1 million (see p7 of http://efaextra.efa-aef.eu/efadoc/11%5Cfestivals_exec_summary_final_%20edinburgh%2004-05.pdf)
Shaheena Abbas
Pagoda Public Relations
4 Eyre Place
Edinburgh
EH3 5EP
0131 556 0770
Registered in Scotland No 150467.
Registered office: 4 Eyre Place, Edinburgh. VAT No 651 9782 04
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