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Swadhinata Trust 25th Anniversary Mela: Co-Curated Heritage Celebration

QM hosted the Swadhinata Trust’s 25th Anniversary Mela at BLOC, Arts One—a vibrant celebration of Bengali heritage and community partnership.

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Credit: Jonathan Cole

On 5th March 2025, Queen Mary University of London hosted the Swadhinata Trust’s 25th Anniversary Mela at BLOC, Arts One—a vibrant celebration of Bengali heritage and community partnership. The event was co-produced by students from the Assistant Producers Scheme within the QM Centre for Creative Collaboration, reflecting Queen Mary’s civic commitment to being A Cultural Hub for East London.
The Mela featured short films, an archive exhibition, traditional board games, and a quiz. Attendees explored the Trust’s publications and engaged with its archive, now partly housed on campus. A highlight of the afternoon was a performance by local comedian Shofa Miah, whose set brought humour and energy to the celebration.
As the event coincided with Ramadan, a communal Iftar followed at 6pm, offering free Bengali food and creating a welcoming space for reflection and togetherness.
Queen Mary's partnership with the Swadhinata Trust is an example of how we work closely with local partners to deliver meaningful civic collaborations. Students gained hands-on experience in cultural production, the Trust reached new audiences, and the university strengthened its ties with the local community. The Mela was not only a celebration of 25 years of heritage work—it was a powerful example of inclusive, creative, and community-rooted programming.

 

 

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