Culture city to be a riot of colour as revellers head to the carnival
HULL’S HISTORIC heart will get a blast of Indian culture this month inspired by the spectacular Holi Festival which sees millions of revellers across the world usher in spring by smearing each other in colourful powder.
Hull and East Riding Hindu Cultural Association has been awarded funding for the event in Zebedee’s Yard on May 29 as part of the Creative Communities programme.
The Carnival of Colours will be a family event as part of the UK City of Culture celebrations, with Bollywood dancers, drummers and a DJ playing Bollywood music. It should bring the late May Bank Holiday weekend, which will see 50,000 people travelling to Burton Constable Hall for Radio 1’s Big Weekend, to a colourful climax.
Dr Navin Jaiveloo, the general secretary of Hull and East Riding Hindu Cultural Association, said: “India is all about culture, curry and colour and we want to inject City of Culture with a blast of Indian colour. It will be an unforgettable bank holiday weekend for people coming from all over the country who will be able to enjoy themselves to the fullest.
“People coming to Burton Constable for the Big Weekend are staying an extra day especially for Carnival of Colours.”
People will be able to buy traditional Indian street food from local restaurateurs Tapasya.
Dr Jaiveloo said: “Holi has a different flavour in different parts of India, Ganesh – the God of good luck – plays a special role in all festivals of India, there will be dance dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Children will also enact the mythological story associated with Holi.
“Children from different schools in Hull and adults will be participating in Bollywood medley dance, there will be songs by Hull and East Yorkshire choir and a crash course in Bollywood dancing.”
Tickets for the event from noon to 5pm on May 29 cost £3 for adults and £2 for children. They can be bought from www. hull2017.co.uk/whatson/carnivalof-colours. Coloured powder will be available for £2.