Federation Square to host Diwali festivities
Melbourne’s most iconic location will be prime among a series of venues celebrating the Festival of Lights by Sheryl Dixit
Melbourne’s landmark Federation Square will see a full-scale celebration of Diwali between October 17 to 26, 2011. Touted to be the largest Diwali celebration in Australia, the event launches with a host of different programmes on October 17.
The Diwali Mela aims at bringing India’s most important and vibrant festival to the people of Melbourne while offering them a glimpse into the rich culture and heritage of the country.
Among the festivities over the ten-day event set across different venues including the airport, will be film shows screening free every day at Federation Square from noon, between October 17-21, sponsored by Mind Blowing Films. On October 19, outdoor dance performances will be held at the City Centre from 5:30pm onwards. Diwali celebrations will be held on the same day at Flinders St. Station at 6pm.
A major event is scheduled for October 22, which will be well-attended by representatives of the Victorian government, the government of India, city officials, community leaders and others. On this day dance troupes will be performing in abundance, with a contemporary Kathak dance troupe visiting from India, fusion dances with an Indian flavor from Greek and Chinese dance groups, classical and folk dances of India, bhangra and the indomitable Bollywood. Dancers from the renowned Strange Fruits Company will also perform in an unusual format.
Indian Bazaar will bring you the true spirit of an Indian mela all its colourful and vibrant glory, by the Square and extending to the riverfront. With a variety of stalls peddling clothes, jewellery, handicrafts, music and movie CDs and DVDs, bargain hunters will be kept happy. And don’t forget the food stalls, which will have a variety of authentic cuisine representative of different regions in India, catering to tastes for every palate. Indulge in vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies, a treat for the tastebuds.
Stage performances by talented children’s groups, live music, novelty items and raffles, dance workshops will all be a part of this event which will showcase the traditions of Diwali. An AFL interactive workshop will also be conducted for sports lovers.
And of course, what would Diwali be without the fireworks? A special fireworks display will be organized on the Yarra River at 9pm. Don’t miss the spectacular Diwali boat which, resplendently decorated and lighted, will cruise along the Yarra, with live performances on its deck for the pleasure of viewers. There will be opportunities to meet the Diwali ambassador at this free, fun, family event.
In support for the Festival of Lights, iconic buildings will be illuminated from October 17-22 such as the Parliament of Victoria, the Museum, the Exhibition Building, Consulate General of India building, Australia India Institute, Federation Square, among others. Diwali will even be celebrated at Flinders Street and particularly Melbourne Airport from 18-26 October. This is the first time the Melbourne Airport will be involved in these festive celebrations, showcasing a variety of dance and music performances through the event.
Throughout the state of Victoria, a lighting/decoration competition for homes and business will be conducted, with the first prizewinner being offered return airfare to India, sponsored by Gaura Travels. Indian Link newspaper is the main media sponsor of this iconic event, which is expected to not just draw crowds, but bring across the true flavour of India and its people to Australia.
Says Arun Sharma, Chairman of Celebrate India Inc, organizer of the event, “This is a great opportunity to celebrate the Festival of Lights in multicultural Melbourne. We invite everyone to come and experience the joy, festivity and celebration of Diwali in a sprit of harmony.”
For more details, visit www.celebrateindia.org.au or email contact@celebrateindia.org.au
