A meeting of cultures at the Glasgow Mela

The multicultural festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year — and southsiders had a sneak preview last month, thanks to one of two new taster events at Tramway.

The main event may have been reduced from two days to just one, but there’s still a packed programme planned for Kelvingrove Park (provided the rain stays at bay).

As announced last month, The Dhol Foundation and Red Hot Chilli Pipers are collaborating on a one-off performance.

Joining them are Abhinaya, Sacred Paws, Dance Ihayami, Celtic Belles, Asian Deaf Club, Jamaican dub poet Yasus Afari and Sain Tanveer Brothers — supported by the lord provost’s office in recognition of Glasgow’s twin city, Lahore — as well as actor and broadcaster Sanjeev Kohli as compere.

Southside councillor and Glasgow Mela chair Soryia Siddique said: “The Mela has grown and flourished beyond the wildest dreams of everyone who organised, performed and attended that first edition at Tramway 25 years ago.

“It remains a celebration of the city’s incredibly diverse communities and provides an outstanding opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate our shared cultures.

“Over the last 25 years, we’ve seen many positive changes in our great city and the Mela reflects our incredible friendliness and inclusion.”

This year’s festival will also be upping the foodie stakes as part of Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, with stalls offering tastes from around the globe.

The Mela runs noon-8pm at Kelvingrove Park — see www.glasgowmela.com.