Huge Ancient Giant puppets walked the city centre towering above shoppers before joining the entertainment in the gardens.
The area between St Mary’s Abbey, the Hospitium, Yorkshire Museum and the entrance were lined with stalls representing many local organisations concerned with health and social and mental well-being.
In a pop-up food court, the Yahala Mattam Refugee Kitchen of Gillygate was the most popular stall.
They were all part of the second York Health and Arts Well Being Mela.
Opening the event, deputy mayor of York and North Yorkshire Jo Coles said at a time when many were seeking to denigrate those of other backgrounds, it was good to celebrate diversity and inclusion.
“If the rest of the world wants to go lower, we will go higher,” she said, paraphrasing former US first lady Michelle Obama. “Let us look after each other and look after ourselves.”
Those attending voted the event a success and looked forward to it returning next year.
On stage Karuna Tribal Belly Dancing started the performances, followed by the Chechelele acapella choir and dancing traditional music from around the world.
RECOMMENDED READING
- WATCH Chechelele on stage at the Mela festival
- York Community Pride award for Mela organiser Shamim Eimaan
- York's first-ever multi-cultural Mela festival voted a "massive success"
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