Huge Ancient Giant puppets walked the city centre towering above shoppers before joining the entertainment in the gardens.
An Ancient Giant seeks a drink in St Helen’s Square (Image: Newsquest)
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.
In the afternoon Kaminari Taiko Drummers playing Japanese music performed with Rajveer Tabla before an Ukrainian Choir took to the stage, followed by the SS Dance Academy UK Bharatanatyam showcasing Indian classical dancing.
More performances followed including “Strictly Fun Dancing”.
At the York Carers Centre stall, Alison Wheatley said: “It’s great to be here. It is about raising awareness. People are engaging us continuously. It’s a lovely atmosphere.”
Her organisation offers free help to carers aged from five to 92 years old with support and advice, including how carers could look after themselves.
Some attendees who had come to the stall were unaware that their domestic situation meant they qualified as carers, she said.
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The community pharmacy stall offering free blood pressure checks was continuously busy. High blood pressure is called the silent killer because it has no symptoms.
Other organisations represented included Andy’s Man Club, Kyra support group for women, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the York Interfaith Group and York Indian Cultural Association, York Theatre Royal, and local NHS trusts and St Leonard’s Hospice.
Before the event began, its organiser Shamim Eimaan said: “We’re so happy and delighted that it’s happening again in our city. It was a huge success last time.
Mela festivals began in South India – the word means ‘gathering’ in Hindi – but have become common in major cities across the UK.
