26 March 2026
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The Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Fergal Dennehy said: “It is with immense pleasure that I welcome the inaugural Cork Mela festival to our city. It promises to be a wonderful celebration of the incredible cultural diversity that enriches our city. A powerful reminder of how much we gain when we embrace traditions and talents from across the globe, bringing all of our communities together in a spirit of joy, unity, and mutual understanding. I encourage all our citizens to attend, enjoy the spectacular performances, and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that makes Cork such a wonderful place to live, work, and visit.”
Nisha Tandon, Founder and CEO of ArtsEkta said: “Inspired by the global traditions of mela – gatherings that bring people together in celebration- the Cork Mela is a new cultural festival for the city inviting everyone to experience the sounds, tastes and stories of cultures from around the world right here in Fitzgerald’s Park. We have joined forces with more than 20 local groups representing different cultures to produce an afternoon of exciting live performances, creative workshops and delicious global flavours. This first ever Cork Mela will celebrate the creativity, resilience and imagination of the many cultures and communities in Cork.”
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The launch of Cork Mela also marks an important milestone for ArtsEkta as the organisation expands its work into the Republic of Ireland for the first time supported by Rethink Ireland. Founded in Belfast in 2006, ArtsEkta has become a leading voice for intercultural arts and community engagement across the island of Ireland. Cork Mela represents the organisation’s first major programme in the Republic, signalling ArtsEkta’s long-term commitment to shared island growth.
Agnes O Shaughnessy Head of Social Enterprise, Rethink Ireland, said:“We are delighted to support ArtsEkta as it scales its impact from the North into the South. Their work has consistently shown how arts and culture can build understanding, strengthen communities, and create spaces where everyone feels they belong. Cork Mela represents an important milestone—not only as ArtsEkta’s first major programme in the Republic, but as a clear signal of their long-term commitment to shared island growth. At Rethink Ireland, we back organisations that bring people together and deliver real social change, and ArtsEkta’s expansion embodies exactly that. We are proud to stand behind them as they take this exciting next step.”
The Cork Mela is supported by Rethink Ireland and Cork City Council alongside our media partner 96FM, for this first ever cultural diversity festival in the city.
Admission is free, so bring the family to the Cork Mela on Sunday 3 May from 1pm to 5pm in Fitgerald Park, Cork
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From Bollywood dancing to global food, creative workshops and live performances by local artists, the Cork Mela, a new free cultural diversity festival for the city was officially launched by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Fergal Dennehy and Nisha Tandon, Founder and CEO of ArtsEkta, organiser of the festival at Fitzgerald Park this week. Local […]
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