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.

Hindus will celebrate the annual festival of Diwali with prayer dances, songs, music and lights on Peterborough’s Cathedral Square on Saturday October 18 from 10.30am until 5pm.

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

Annette Joyce, assistant director for commercial operations for Peterborough City Council, said: “Peterborough is a proudly diverse city that is home to people of all faiths, cultures and backgrounds and we are pleased to again support the Diwali festival. It is great news that the Diwali committee has decided to return to Cathedral Square for a second year to put on what promises to be a fantastic festival. Last year’s event was a true spectacle of sights, colours and sounds. All Peterborough’s residents are invited to come along, sample the food on offer and learn a little more about Hinduism.”

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.”