A big bang Auckland Diwali yet again
Controversies aside, the Auckland Diwali Festival turned out to be a complete success yet again.
Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said he was looking forward to Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival celebrated in New Zealand each year.
“Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important festivals on the Hindu calendar. It is a demonstration of our diverse and accepting culture that it is also a festival that many other New Zealanders of all ethnic groups eagerly await,” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.
Diwali celebrates the conquest of light over darkness, truth over ignorance. It is a festival celebrated all over the world and is an official holiday in many countries.
Mr Lotu-Iiga will be hosting a function at Parliament on November 10 to celebrate Diwali with the Indian community and to acknowledge the contribution it makes to New Zealand’s culture and economy.
At the 2013 Census, there were about 155,200 Indian people in New Zealand, about four per cent of the population. It was also highlighted that India currently contributes to the highest number of skilled migrants to New Zealand.
Official Diwali celebrations were first held in New Zealand in 2002. It is estimated that 150,000 people attended festivities in Auckland and Wellington last year. This year the Mayor of Auckland expected to see more than 200,000 people attend the festival.
The heart of Auckland city was filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of Indian culture on 17 and 18 October when the Auckland Diwali Festival returned for its 14th year.
The festival took over Aotea Square, Aotea Centre and Queen St (between Wellesley St and Mayoral Drive) from noon to 9 p.m. each day for one of Auckland biggest cultural festivals, which showcases traditional and contemporary Indian culture through music, dance, theatre, art and food.
The free, family-friendly festival also featured children’s workshops, where they learnt to create colourful rangoli designs and listen to storytelling. For everyone, there were music workshops, the Kiwi Indian Thought Series and the return of the Indian wedding expo in the Aotea Centre, after last year’s enthusiastic response.
This year’s international performers included master puppeteer Mahipat Kavi, who brought some of India’s favourite stories to life, and Mudra Creation’s Lavani dance group from the state of Maharashtra. The performers were visiting with the support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. These graceful dancers were an instant hit with the audience.
Highlights of the Auckland Diwali Festival include stunning onstage and street performances from more than 100 national and international performance groups, 64 food and craft stalls, the Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian Thought Series, the Radio Tarana Bollywood Dance competition and the Barfoot & Thompson Fireworks Finale on Sunday night.
The sponsors and supporters of Auckland Diwali Festival includedBarfoot& Thompson, ASB, Air New Zealand, Mithai, India Tourism Sydney (Incredible India), Radio Tarana, Indian Weekender, iHeartRadio, Stuff.co.nz, The Better Drinks Company, NTEC Tertiary Group, Mahindra Cars and Vodafone.
A bhangra performance by the NZ Police was the star attraction of the show and was received very well by the scores of people present. This was followed by the spectacular fireworks display lighting up the drizzling night sky and the perfect culmination to the two-day festivities.
Controversies aside, the Auckland Diwali Festival turned out to be a complete success yet again.
Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said he was looking forward to Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival celebrated in New Zealand each year.
“Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of...
Controversies aside, the Auckland Diwali Festival turned out to be a complete success yet again.
Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said he was looking forward to Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival celebrated in New Zealand each year.
“Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important festivals on the Hindu calendar. It is a demonstration of our diverse and accepting culture that it is also a festival that many other New Zealanders of all ethnic groups eagerly await,” Mr Lotu-Iiga said.
Diwali celebrates the conquest of light over darkness, truth over ignorance. It is a festival celebrated all over the world and is an official holiday in many countries.
Mr Lotu-Iiga will be hosting a function at Parliament on November 10 to celebrate Diwali with the Indian community and to acknowledge the contribution it makes to New Zealand’s culture and economy.
At the 2013 Census, there were about 155,200 Indian people in New Zealand, about four per cent of the population. It was also highlighted that India currently contributes to the highest number of skilled migrants to New Zealand.
Official Diwali celebrations were first held in New Zealand in 2002. It is estimated that 150,000 people attended festivities in Auckland and Wellington last year. This year the Mayor of Auckland expected to see more than 200,000 people attend the festival.
The heart of Auckland city was filled with the sights, sounds and tastes of Indian culture on 17 and 18 October when the Auckland Diwali Festival returned for its 14th year.
The festival took over Aotea Square, Aotea Centre and Queen St (between Wellesley St and Mayoral Drive) from noon to 9 p.m. each day for one of Auckland biggest cultural festivals, which showcases traditional and contemporary Indian culture through music, dance, theatre, art and food.
The free, family-friendly festival also featured children’s workshops, where they learnt to create colourful rangoli designs and listen to storytelling. For everyone, there were music workshops, the Kiwi Indian Thought Series and the return of the Indian wedding expo in the Aotea Centre, after last year’s enthusiastic response.
This year’s international performers included master puppeteer Mahipat Kavi, who brought some of India’s favourite stories to life, and Mudra Creation’s Lavani dance group from the state of Maharashtra. The performers were visiting with the support of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. These graceful dancers were an instant hit with the audience.
Highlights of the Auckland Diwali Festival include stunning onstage and street performances from more than 100 national and international performance groups, 64 food and craft stalls, the Indian Weekender Kiwi Indian Thought Series, the Radio Tarana Bollywood Dance competition and the Barfoot & Thompson Fireworks Finale on Sunday night.
The sponsors and supporters of Auckland Diwali Festival includedBarfoot& Thompson, ASB, Air New Zealand, Mithai, India Tourism Sydney (Incredible India), Radio Tarana, Indian Weekender, iHeartRadio, Stuff.co.nz, The Better Drinks Company, NTEC Tertiary Group, Mahindra Cars and Vodafone.
A bhangra performance by the NZ Police was the star attraction of the show and was received very well by the scores of people present. This was followed by the spectacular fireworks display lighting up the drizzling night sky and the perfect culmination to the two-day festivities.
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