Leicester’s annual City Festival is now in full swing, buzzing with activities and events suitable for the whole family.
With so much more still to see, the City Festival can be enjoyed until Monday 29th August. We bring you some of the festival’s cultural highlights so far:
Circus Raj
Hundreds of people gathered today form all cultural background to Leicester’s Jubilee Square, to watch the colourful spectacle of Rajasthan’s very own circus performers. Visitors were dazzled as they sat watching the troupe dancers, illusionists, aerialists, acrobats, musicians and rope walkers.
The circus was described by spectators as ‘Brilliant,’ ‘fantastic’ and ‘great for all the family’
Due to the windy weather conditions, the show witnessed an unexpected incident as one of the rope walkers fell whilst at a height, fortunately we have been told by organisers that he is well and suffered no injury.
Smita Vadnerkar, Artistic Director of Nupur Arts said: “We decided to bring Cirque De India over from Rajasthan because we wanted to bring something different, vibrant and colourful to Leicester.
“I think the Rajasthan circus is different from other circuses, with the costumes, dance styles and instruments they play. It’s very rich culturally.”
Mela Festival
An essence of India filled Leicester’s town centre on Sunday 21st August at the annual Mela celebration.
Despite the rain, the weather didn’t seem to put people off as they came to marvel at the sights, sounds and smells that filled the centre.
For those that love to shop, the market was transformed into a bazaar with stalls selling delicious Indian cuisine, clothing and crafts. Visitors could also enjoy a whole host of free South Asian arts and cultural activities, perfect for the whole family.
It wouldn’t have been a celebration without the entertainment. Two stages were set up in Humberstone Gate and by the Clock Tower, where musicians and dance groups performed from various organisations including; Nupur Arts, the popular Shiamak group, Andrea’s Oriental Dance, Kuntal’s School of Bollywood Dancing, along with others.
For more information about City Festival’s events visit: http://www.visitleicester.info/
