The Hawkes Bay Diwali Festival of Lights celebrated its third year in 2024 with a vibrant gathering at Hastings’ Miter10 Park, organised by the Hindu Council of Hawkes Bay. This charitable organisation, established in 2020, is dedicated to practicing, educating, and preserving Hindu culture within the local community. Since the festival’s inaugural event in 2022, attendance has steadily grown, starting with 2,000 attendees, reaching 5,000 in 2023, and surging to an impressive 8,000 this year.
The Hindu Council aims to unite the Hawkes Bay community through Diwali celebrations, promoting cultural appreciation and social cohesion. This year's festival took place on Sunday, October 27th, taking advantage of the Labour Day holiday on Monday, allowing attendees to enjoy a late night of festivities.
Key Highlights:
- Spectacular firewalk displays mesmerised the crowd.
- A diverse lineup of performances showcased the rich heritage of India and the multicultural spirit of Hawkes Bay, including a traditional Fijian-Indian musical band, a unique fusion of Bharatanatyam with Māori and Pasifika dance, and a Bollywood performance by children with disabilities. Regional Indian dances, such as Uttarakhand’s folk and Punjabi Gidda, were also featured alongside Kiwi performances.
- A wide variety of food stalls offered traditional Indian delicacies from Fiji, South Africa, India, as well as Kiwi-style dishes.
Photo: Supplied
The programme was officially inaugurated by local dignitaries, including MP Katie Nimon, Hastings Councillor Wendy Schollum, Napier Councillor Greg Mawson, Inspector Damion Ormsby, Kamatoa Charlie Ropitini, and Multicultural Association president Rizwanna Latiff.
The event was made possible through the generous support of key sponsors like the Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, and the Eastern Central Community Trust.
Attendees praised the event, calling it a first-of-its-kind experience in Hawkes Bay, with joy and smiles lighting up faces across the crowd. The festival was a resounding success, underscoring its growing importance as a highlight of the Hawkes Bay cultural calendar.
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