A UNIQUE musical collaboration will mark a special anniversary for what is Europe’s largest Asian festival.
The O2 London Mela will be 10 years old when it takes place on Sunday, August 19, at Gunnersbury Park in Acton, west London. Thousands of visitors will witness the debut of the Philharmonia Orchestra performing a premiere of Indra, composed by one-time local resident, Gustav Holst.
Pop singer Jaz Dhami, classical musicians from the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Hammersmith and the Bollywood Brass Band will also be participating in what promises to be an exciting show mixing the best of classical with more contemporary sounds.
There will also be, for the first time, a mela carnival with colourful floats. The event will end with a classical concert and fireworks.
There will also be a wide variety of other entertainment at the free event, including a performance by Red Poppies, an all-women drumming group from China who have performed at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.
Boris Johnson, the mayor of London, said: “It promises to be even better this year and with the Embracing Eid stage, will attract a wider audience. With the eyes of the world on the capital for the 2012 Games, this colourful family event will be a sparkling addition to the unprecedented series of free events.”
The programme was unveiled with a launch on June 14 at the Dominion Centre in Southall, in the borough of Ealing.
