Bristol Asian Mela

This weekend we took a group of  volunteers along to the Bristol Asian Festival in Eastville Park to experience the festivities and to interview the young people who had helped to organise the event. The event was organised by community organisation Awaz Utaoh who provide a range of activities, events and support services for Bristol’s South Asian community.

It was a really special day with dancing from Bollywood Glamour, Bristol’s first Bollywood dance company, a fashion show on the main stage 
and performances from international artist Imran Khan. The main attraction was the talent show in the youth marquee where young people showcased there phenomenal talents from beatboxing to singing, dancing and even modelling.

Over in the heritage marquee elders from Bristol's Asian community and the Lord Mayor gathered for a special book launch lead by Simi Chowdry, director of Awaz Utaoh. ‘More than a Curry’ is a special book that details the contribution that the Asian community has made to Bristol. The launch was accompanied by a special screening of a documentary featuring interviews with community elders. In his speech the Lord Mayor praised the work Awaz Utaoh and their organisation of the event: ‘It is a great example of an event which binds relationships between families and communities and promotes peace and harmony in our city.’

UNITY Volunteers with the Mayor in the Heritage Marquee

Interviewing Talent Show Contestants

All of the photographs, audio and video from the day will be edited together by our volunteers in the next few weeks and will appear on our various sites.