New leader appointed to Mela festival

A NEW director has been appointed to take charge of the Edinburgh Mela.

Stephen Stenning takes over from Liam Sinclair, who ran the multi-cultural arts festival for the past three years. A former director of Glasgow's Merchant City Festival and the Big in Falkirk Festival, Mr Stenning said: "It is an exciting challenge taking over as director of the Mela from Liam Sinclair.

"Thanks to Liam and the board's hard work, the Edinburgh Mela has developed as an event and organisation. The Mela is now a hugely successful cultural event celebrating Edinburgh's diverse communities and providing a dynamic platform for multi- cultural contemporary Scotland."

Councillor Steve Cardownie, chair of the Mela board, added: "Stephen is exactly the right person to take the Edinburgh Mela to the next stage."