In Pictures: Belfast Mela begins

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  1. Four people throwing coloured paint powder into the air. They are covered in it and smiling.
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    Bright colours were used in the parade

Abigail Taylor
BBC News NI

A cultural celebration of inclusivity and creativity has begun in Belfast city centre.

The Belfast Mela was founded in 2006 and attracts thousands of people from all communities

The festival kicked off with a carnival parade from Writer's Square to City Hall on Saturday and finishes with a large celebration in Botanic Gardens on Mela Day on 24 August.

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  1. An act is performing on a stage. There is a large group of people holding instruments.
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    Performances took place on the stage

Mela, a Sanskrit word meaning "to meet", is now one of Northern Ireland's largest arts festivals.

It culminates with Mela Day at Botanic Gardens, where world music, dance, food and art celebrating the city's culture and communities are on display.

A full list of festival events can be found here.

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