"The Festival of Lights" Diwali.

India's biggest Festival! Diwali, "The Festival of Lights" is coming to Waitakere City. The year's programme will start at 11 am with a colourful presentation of rich Indian culture and tradition on the theme of Diwali - A festival of lights. The organisers Waitakere Indian Association wish to extend a warm invitation to one and all. Get involved and experience the richness of India's culture and heritage, right in the heart of Waitakere.

Diwali Festival was initiated in Waitakere by Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) in 2000 and has grown from strength to strength since then and Waitakere City Council has developed a partnership with Waitakere Indian Association (WIA) and Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) to celebrate the event. In last two years, WEB had worked with WIA to organise it, but this year it has again been passed to WIA to organise. This festival is intended to attract the wider Kiwi communities to participate in the event. In the last two years we have seen some 10,000 people attend the event.

The overwhelming support from both the Indian and wider communities has helped to inspire and motivate us to make this yet another successful Diwali Festival celebrated in Waitakere City. This year there will be a spectacular indoor fireworks display along with traditional and bollywood type performances, Rangoli Art Exhibition and of course the outdoor fireworks display. There will also be performances by other ethnic groups. On sale will be exotic Indian food and Indian Arts and Crafts.

Diwali has great cultural, moral and religious significance to Hindus all over the world.

Diwali, commonly known as the festival of lights throughout the world is celebrated in a cordial atmosphere embracing Indian culture and heritage. It is the time for happiness, renewing friendship and work towards collective unity.

Last years festival was a huge success with thousands of people enjoying food, festivities and fabulous weather. We were thrilled by the support of the diverse community; be it patrons, stallholders, performers and the business community.

For further information contact Manoj Tahal: m.tahal@xtra.co.nz
or visit our website: www.wia.net.nz 
or call 021 564 757
or contact us.