Waitakere Ethnic Board Inc
Tui tui tui-tuia nga herenga
Bringing Cultures Together

Media Release
17 June 2005

Chance to be a part of Waitakere’s Diwali

Hands up who wants to be part of one of Waitakere’s biggest festivals! The Festival of Lights, or Diwali, is coming to Waitakere City at the Trusts Stadium on October 16 and the organising team is keen to hear from potential performers and volunteers. Get involved and experience the richness of India’s culture and heritage, right in the heart of Waitakere.

In recent years the Diwali celebration has been seen as a series of Bollywood-type performances, however Waitakere’s Diwali will reinforce the cultural significance of the celebration as a time to eat, burn candles and be with family.

Organised by the Waitakere Ethnic Board with the support of the Waitakere City Council, if you would like to take part in the festival as a performer or volunteer, contact Camille Nakhid 021 045 7368 or Ann Pala 818 4450.

Diwali is one of the most important festivals for the Indian community all over the world and is well-known and celebrated by Indians here in New Zealand. Diwali is commonly known as the "festival of lights" as the common practice is to light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around the home. In urban areas especially, candles are substituted for diyas. The celebration of the festival is invariably accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the explosion of fireworks.

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