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Held in Banglatown, one of London’s most vibrant quarters, Baishakhi Mela welcomes in the Bangladeshi New Year with a huge celebration of street dancers, musicians, inflatables, jugglers and acrobatics. Last year’s festival was a huge success attracting more than 85,000 visitors – almost half the population of Tower Hamlets. Baishakhi Mela, one of the largest street festivals in the country, is celebrating its tenth birthday this year and residents are being called upon to give their views to help make the 2007 Mela the best yet!

The action kicks off at 11am when a colourful procession of musicians, dancers and performers beginning at Allen Gardens moves slowly through Brick Lane and on to Weavers Fields. The procession includes the huge Bengali Tiger float, surrounded by drummers and dancers. The main stage plays host to a full repertoire of Bangladeshi sounds from traditional to Bangla, Baul and Bengali rock. There’s also a children’s play area, with a funfair, inflatables, clowns, jugglers and lots more. Plus this year’s Baishaki Mela festival also includes a Bangladeshi Food Festival, presenting street stalls selling delicious curry dishes and authentic Indian street foods to pick and choose from as we enjoy the festival experience.

Each year there is a spectacular line-up for locals, families and visitors who are invited to come and enjoy a full programme of festive celebrations. Brick Lane is pedestrianised throughout the day and transformed into a bustling market place with over 45 curry houses spilling out on to the pavement offering curry alfresco alongside 100’s of stalls
It’s the biggest Bengali bash outside Bangladesh and it’s taking over Brick Lane, London‘s Banglatown, this Sunday. The Baishaki Mela is the Bangla New Year Festival and while there was a differently spelt celebration in Trafalgar Square just recently, you’ve really got to go East to truly feel the festivities.