20/05/2021 - Community events - no-one else parties like Luton!

We all know that Luton is an amazing multi-cultural town, and one of the rewards is a vibrant  community celebration scene.

 

From St Patrick’s and St George’s Day, to Mela and Carnival, and with the annual fireworks night and Christmas lights switch-on events too, there's always a date around the corner ready to bring thousands of people together to party.

 

It is money from the council’s airport company that makes all this possible in Luton. Years of austerity, and the relentlessly increasing demand for front-line services, has made it almost impossible for the council to provide its own money.

 

“We know how important community celebrations are to people in Luton from all different backgrounds,” said chair of LLAL, Councillor Andy Malcolm, who is also the council’s portfolio holder for finance.

 

“We've stepped in to make sure all these events can take place, without any worry so that everyone can focus on simply having fun.

 

“Improving lives is of course the single most important reason why we own and invest in London Luton Airport, but it’s also important that we can all enjoy the landmark celebrations that help define what we are about as a town.”

 

Each event has its own unique identity.

Originally the first Bury Park street festival, Luton Mela has become one of the UK’s most critically-acclaimed, vibrant and awarding-winning outdoor family festivals since 2000.

 

The two-day event, which is organised by a group of volunteers that plays a leading role promoting the town and arts sector, it now regular attracts more than 40,000 people.

 

The event attracts the biggest stars from the British Asian music industry – and in 2017 footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s pop star sister also performed to launch his clothes brand, CR7.

 

“The Mela showcases Luton’s spirit of diversity and community through a celebration of heritage, culture and arts,” said chair Zulfqar Ahmed.

 

“There's food, live music, dance, activities, live fashion show, kids fun zone, arts and crafts, stalls from local businesses, charities and public organisations such as Bedfordshire Police. For the latter, the Mela is an important opportunity to connect with communities and build bridges.”

 

“Luton Mela supports bigger Melas in London and Manchester, and its international appeal has enabled us to set up similar cultural events with partners in other countries such as Portugal and Pakistan, and promote Luton’s art sector on an international platform.

“Luton Mela is funded by LLAL, and we as a partner support its vision and values. The airport’s success is our success.”

Carnival is so synonymous with Luton that the town is host to the UK Carnival Arts Centre (UKCCA). And for Hopeton Walker, the organisation’s chair, the whole concept is about so much more than a one-day street party.

 

“Luton Carnival reflects the diversity of the town and it’s a whole cultural tour-de-force,” he said, “combining music, dance, fashion, the arts as a whole spectrum and with education and a sense of community identity at its heart.

 

“The money we get from LLAL is so vital to us, without it Luton Carnival could not happen, and the town would be so much poorer without it. Not just Luton, but everyone and particularly the young people who come from across the country to join in with us and make the event what it is.”
 
Restrictions imposed on community gatherings in the UK in response to the Covid-19 pandemic have brought home how much we all miss Luton’s annual celebrations.

 

Let’s hope we can do it all again soon. After all, no-one parties like Luton can party!