CITY CELEBRATES THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

As the nights draw in it’s time to brighten things up and celebrate Diwali in Peterborough with a fanulous city centre festival.

The city centre will once again be transformed with audible, culinary and visual delights as Peterborough’s Diwali festival committee, whose members represent local Indian, Nepali and Sri Lankan communities, invite residents to learn more about the origins of the Hindu festival, the religion and its customs.

A programme of 15 different displays and activities will fill Cathedral Square with the sounds of song and dance from across the world, with the Mayor of Peterborough, Councillor David Over, inaugurating proceedings at 11am.

This year’s event programme contains:

10.15am – Dhol music by Satwinder Singh Suali & Team

10.50 am – Recital of Shabd by Satwinder Singh Suali

11am – Inauguration by the Mayor of Peterborough

11.30am- Prayer dance by Gayatri & Team

12noon – Dance by Bhimpuria children

12.15pm – Performance by Neha & Team

12.30pm – Bengali community programme

1pm – Tamil community programme

1.30pm – Malayali community programme

2.15pm -Songs by Bharatbhai Popat

2.30pm – Balgokulam Dance

3pm – Bhangra Dance

3.45pm – Nepali community programme

4.15pm – Garba Dance

4.30pm – Dances by Daman community

Mr Ratilal Joshi, chair of the Peterborough Diwali committee, added: “The Peterborough Diwali festival committee is delighted to organise Diwali celebrations again to portray the culture, traditions, costumes and food. Most of all let us all unite. We light our souls to eradicate ignorance, jealousy and build bridges amongst ourselves, forget the past year and mark a new beginning.”