Diwali delights: Fun, food and fireworks!
More than 800 performers and 50 food and craft stalls will transform Aotea Square and part of Queen Street into an Indian Mela (bazaar) on Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th October for the 13th annual Auckland Diwali Festival.
Diwali – the festival of lights – is an important and ancient Indian festival signifying the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of life. Visitors to this weekend’s festival will experience a slice of traditional and contemporary Indian culture, with an extraordinary array of music, dance, sport, fashion, food and fireworks, plus a wedding expo and the show stopping Radio Tarana Bollywood dance competition.
Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says the event is an opportunity for Auckland to acknowledge the contribution that the Indian community makes to the region.“More than 100,000 people of Indian heritage call Auckland home and contribute significantly to our great city socially, culturally and economically, and play an important part in our multi-cultural society. I want to wish everyone a Happy Diwali and a year ahead filled with prosperity, health and happiness,” says Deputy Mayor Hulse.
The festival runs from midday to 9 pm this weekend (Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th October) and is organised by Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) in partnership with Asia New Zealand Foundation. Renowned international performers the Sattriya Dance Theatre Group will light up the stage at Aotea Square as part of the official opening celebrations on
Saturday afternoon.
The ceremony will feature the Prime Minister and leader of the National Party, Rt Hon John Key, Acting Leader of the Opposition Labour party, Hon David Parker, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador, Sir Richard Hadlee, and Deputy Mayor of Auckland, Penny Hulse.
Auckland is shaped by its people and its heritage – including drawing on traditions that our people have brought with them from around the world. Diwali Festival gives our large Indian community an opportunity to share one of its most loved cultural traditions with all Aucklanders in a great occasion that the whole family will enjoy.
Auckland Diwali Festival showcases a unique blend of traditional Indian and contemporary New Zealand Indian culture. It’s meat-free, smoke-free, alcohol-free and free to attend – and one of the most joyful occasions on our cultural calendar. I love it and would like to welcome everyone who has supported and been a part of the festival
for many years - and those experiencing it for the first time. Namaste and Happy Diwali.
Len Brown,
Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Diwali Festival is one of two events (along with Auckland Lantern Festival) that ATEED delivers in partnership with the Asia New Zealand Foundation. The festival is an important part of our region’s event calendar, and a great opportunity for Aucklanders and visitors of all ethnic backgrounds to experience a much-loved Indian cultural tradition. Cultural festivals like Diwali contribute to Auckland becoming the world’s most liveable city by celebrating our cultural diversity and bringing a real buzz to the city centre.
Auckland Diwali Festival also helps us raise awareness of Indian culture and the Indian community living in Auckland as well as celebrate and showcase Auckland as a diverse, multicultural and inclusive city. ATEED’s vision for the festival is that it becomes the premier Indian festival in Australasia that Aucklanders are proud of.
In 2013, the festival attracted an audience of more than 28,000 people, up from approx. 23,000 people in 2013. For this year, we have some exciting new ingredients to add into the Diwali mix, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 zone on Queen Street where you can learn more about the tournament which Auckland is a host city for this summer, and be part of an iconic Indian cricket photo moment.On behalf of ATEED’s Major Events team, have a wonderful weekend.
Brett O’Riley
Chief Executive, ATEED
Namaste and Happy Diwali. The Asia New Zealand Foundation is proud to have been involved in the Auckland Diwali Festival since the first major public Diwali Mela event in 2002.
We’re delighted to be hosting fantastic international guests at this year’s festival, including the Sattriya Dance Theatre group, led by renowned classical dancer, choreographer and musicologist Menaka PP Bora.This year marks the foundation’s 20th anniversary. In the past two decades, we have been committed to helping New Zealanders experience Asia and gain a better understanding of its diverse peoples and cultures.
This festival is a great opportunity for you to do that right here in Auckland, thanks to the contributions of the region’s more than 106,000 residents of Indian heritage.
Philip Burdon
Chairman, Asia New Zealand Foundation
Cricketing great pads-up
One of New Zealand’s finest test cricketers will come out of retirement to be part of this year’s Auckland Diwali Festival, taking place on 11 and 12 October at Aotea Square and Queen Street. Sir Richard Hadlee will be available to meet fans on Saturday at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 activity zone on Queen Street. Chief Executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Brett O’Riley, says Auckland is one of seven New Zealand cities that will co-host the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with Australia.
“As we know Indian cricket fans are incredibly passionate, and it’s an honour to be hosting such a legend of the game at one of Auckland’s most celebrated festivals,” says Mr O’Riley. “This is a great opportunity to get a taste of World Cup action before it arrives in Auckland in 2015, which will be one of Auckland’s busiest-ever events seasons.”
Festival-goers will also have the chance to be part of an iconic Indian cricketing moment at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 photo booth. Using green screen technology, fans will be transported into the post-match celebrations of the Indian cricket team following their victory in the 2011 World Cup Final.
DANZASIA
10 - 11.30am Saturday
Limelight, Aotea Centre
Are you an Asian choreographer keen to find your voice through dance? Then come along to our launch of DANZASIA, a pilot choreographic lab to nurture Asian choreographers in conjunction with the Diwali Festival. Our guest speakers will share their personal journeys of discovery while you enjoy chai and samosas, courtesy of DANZ.
Highlights of the Great Indian Wedding Expo
-Bridal makeup will be applied on models
-Mehndi will also be applied on models. Visitors can wear it too for a minimal cost.
-Wedding garlands will be made at the workshop.
-Take photographs of couples in the backdrop of a make-believe wedding set.
-Workshop on how to drape a sari, followed by a sari draping competition for the visitors.
-At the end, a model couple will go through a mock wedding ceremony for the pleasure of the visitors.
SONI MUDALIAR
NZ’s first Indian wedding planner
www.indianweddings.co.nz
Display open 12 – 9pm
Live presentations 4pm and 7pm
Level 5 Aotea Centre
More than 800 performers and 50 food and craft stalls will transform Aotea Square and part of Queen Street into an Indian Mela (bazaar) on Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th October for the 13th annual Auckland Diwali Festival.
Diwali – the festival of lights – is an important and ancient Indian...
More than 800 performers and 50 food and craft stalls will transform Aotea Square and part of Queen Street into an Indian Mela (bazaar) on Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th October for the 13th annual Auckland Diwali Festival.
Diwali – the festival of lights – is an important and ancient Indian festival signifying the triumph of light over darkness and the renewal of life. Visitors to this weekend’s festival will experience a slice of traditional and contemporary Indian culture, with an extraordinary array of music, dance, sport, fashion, food and fireworks, plus a wedding expo and the show stopping Radio Tarana Bollywood dance competition.
Auckland Deputy Mayor Penny Hulse says the event is an opportunity for Auckland to acknowledge the contribution that the Indian community makes to the region.“More than 100,000 people of Indian heritage call Auckland home and contribute significantly to our great city socially, culturally and economically, and play an important part in our multi-cultural society. I want to wish everyone a Happy Diwali and a year ahead filled with prosperity, health and happiness,” says Deputy Mayor Hulse.
The festival runs from midday to 9 pm this weekend (Saturday, 11th and Sunday, 12th October) and is organised by Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development (ATEED) in partnership with Asia New Zealand Foundation. Renowned international performers the Sattriya Dance Theatre Group will light up the stage at Aotea Square as part of the official opening celebrations on
Saturday afternoon.
The ceremony will feature the Prime Minister and leader of the National Party, Rt Hon John Key, Acting Leader of the Opposition Labour party, Hon David Parker, ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Ambassador, Sir Richard Hadlee, and Deputy Mayor of Auckland, Penny Hulse.
Auckland is shaped by its people and its heritage – including drawing on traditions that our people have brought with them from around the world. Diwali Festival gives our large Indian community an opportunity to share one of its most loved cultural traditions with all Aucklanders in a great occasion that the whole family will enjoy.
Auckland Diwali Festival showcases a unique blend of traditional Indian and contemporary New Zealand Indian culture. It’s meat-free, smoke-free, alcohol-free and free to attend – and one of the most joyful occasions on our cultural calendar. I love it and would like to welcome everyone who has supported and been a part of the festival
for many years - and those experiencing it for the first time. Namaste and Happy Diwali.
Len Brown,
Mayor of Auckland
Auckland Diwali Festival is one of two events (along with Auckland Lantern Festival) that ATEED delivers in partnership with the Asia New Zealand Foundation. The festival is an important part of our region’s event calendar, and a great opportunity for Aucklanders and visitors of all ethnic backgrounds to experience a much-loved Indian cultural tradition. Cultural festivals like Diwali contribute to Auckland becoming the world’s most liveable city by celebrating our cultural diversity and bringing a real buzz to the city centre.
Auckland Diwali Festival also helps us raise awareness of Indian culture and the Indian community living in Auckland as well as celebrate and showcase Auckland as a diverse, multicultural and inclusive city. ATEED’s vision for the festival is that it becomes the premier Indian festival in Australasia that Aucklanders are proud of.
In 2013, the festival attracted an audience of more than 28,000 people, up from approx. 23,000 people in 2013. For this year, we have some exciting new ingredients to add into the Diwali mix, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 zone on Queen Street where you can learn more about the tournament which Auckland is a host city for this summer, and be part of an iconic Indian cricket photo moment.On behalf of ATEED’s Major Events team, have a wonderful weekend.
Brett O’Riley
Chief Executive, ATEED
Namaste and Happy Diwali. The Asia New Zealand Foundation is proud to have been involved in the Auckland Diwali Festival since the first major public Diwali Mela event in 2002.
We’re delighted to be hosting fantastic international guests at this year’s festival, including the Sattriya Dance Theatre group, led by renowned classical dancer, choreographer and musicologist Menaka PP Bora.This year marks the foundation’s 20th anniversary. In the past two decades, we have been committed to helping New Zealanders experience Asia and gain a better understanding of its diverse peoples and cultures.
This festival is a great opportunity for you to do that right here in Auckland, thanks to the contributions of the region’s more than 106,000 residents of Indian heritage.
Philip Burdon
Chairman, Asia New Zealand Foundation
Cricketing great pads-up
One of New Zealand’s finest test cricketers will come out of retirement to be part of this year’s Auckland Diwali Festival, taking place on 11 and 12 October at Aotea Square and Queen Street. Sir Richard Hadlee will be available to meet fans on Saturday at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 activity zone on Queen Street. Chief Executive of Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Brett O’Riley, says Auckland is one of seven New Zealand cities that will co-host the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 with Australia.
“As we know Indian cricket fans are incredibly passionate, and it’s an honour to be hosting such a legend of the game at one of Auckland’s most celebrated festivals,” says Mr O’Riley. “This is a great opportunity to get a taste of World Cup action before it arrives in Auckland in 2015, which will be one of Auckland’s busiest-ever events seasons.”
Festival-goers will also have the chance to be part of an iconic Indian cricketing moment at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 photo booth. Using green screen technology, fans will be transported into the post-match celebrations of the Indian cricket team following their victory in the 2011 World Cup Final.
DANZASIA
10 - 11.30am Saturday
Limelight, Aotea Centre
Are you an Asian choreographer keen to find your voice through dance? Then come along to our launch of DANZASIA, a pilot choreographic lab to nurture Asian choreographers in conjunction with the Diwali Festival. Our guest speakers will share their personal journeys of discovery while you enjoy chai and samosas, courtesy of DANZ.
Highlights of the Great Indian Wedding Expo
-Bridal makeup will be applied on models
-Mehndi will also be applied on models. Visitors can wear it too for a minimal cost.
-Wedding garlands will be made at the workshop.
-Take photographs of couples in the backdrop of a make-believe wedding set.
-Workshop on how to drape a sari, followed by a sari draping competition for the visitors.
-At the end, a model couple will go through a mock wedding ceremony for the pleasure of the visitors.
SONI MUDALIAR
NZ’s first Indian wedding planner
www.indianweddings.co.nz
Display open 12 – 9pm
Live presentations 4pm and 7pm
Level 5 Aotea Centre
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