Mela festival is celebration of the 'real Belfast'

The mela has been running for 18 years and attracts thousands of people

A nine-day-long celebration of cultural diversity has begun in Belfast.

The Belfast Mela is Northern Ireland's largest cultural diversity festival and organisers say Saturday's parade sends out a message that Belfast is a welcoming and diverse city.

The parade made its way from Writers' Square to Belfast City Hall and councillors say the event signifies the "real Belfast".

It may have been damp and dull weather-wise but brightly coloured floats, fancy dress and dancers ensured the city was awash with colour.

The festival has been running in Northern Ireland for 18 years and attracts thousands of people.

Nisha Tandon, who is one of the organisers, said it was important the mela is held this month, despite the recent spate of racist attacks.

"We need to bring everybody together and make a positive message that we are here, we are here to stay, we are not taking your jobs," she said.

"All the stereotypes which people are having in their heads - I think that needs to be brought out and talked about. And more inter-culturalism should be happening."

Hilary Benn said the recent disorder did not represent the real Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, who was at the carnival, told BBC News NI he had met the business owners who had been attacked in recent weeks.

"They are astonishingly resilient people given the terrifying experiences that they have been through and it’s important all of us are in solidarity with them," he said.

"Racist attacks don’t represent the real Belfast or Northern Ireland – today does."

Parts of England have also faced weeks of violent disorder and many have since been charged and sentenced.

"If you look across the UK as a whole, the number of people who have been charged and got very stiff sentences, that sends a clear message – if you think you can riot with no consequences – well you can’t and the law is coming for you," he added..

Hundreds of people lined the streets of Belfast for the carnival parade

The festival runs from 17 to 25 August

Belfast City councillor Paul Doherty said it was "massively important" that the mela was happening.

"This is the real Belfast we're seeing today, full of colour, full of diversity and people coming together as one community," he said.

"The message is - Belfast is open, Belfast is welcome. We are a diverse city and we're all the better for it. We're seeing many people coming out here today who were fearful in the last week coming in and enjoying this day."

'Pray for peace'

Shivata Bhat (right) has been been coming to the mela for a number of years

Shivata Bhat, who is originally from India but has lived in Belfast for 10 years, said the mela was a "wonderful event".

"Despite the events happening we are still motivated to come for mela and bring together everyone, celebrate and be happy and pray for peace," she said.

She admitted she was a little bit apprehensive about coming to the festival but "seeing everyone mixing up together and celebrating the colour, it was really nice."

Audrey Doherty (second from right) said it was important to celebrate difference

Audrey Doherty is originally from Dublin but has been living in Northern Ireland for 20 years.

"It's really important to celebrate diversity, to introduce our children to different diversities, different cultures, different religions and make sure they see that this is completely normal - everybody is the same," she said.

Ms Doherty said she was "a little bit concerned" about coming after the recent disorder, but she said it was "really well organised".

A full list of festival events can be found here.

It culminates with Mela Day on Monday 26 August at Botanic Gardens, showcasing music, dance, food and art celebrating the city’s culture and communities.