Diwali downunder — festival of lights

Far from the bustling streets of India, in the tranquil corners of our Kiwi nation, we look forward to celebrating Diwali with a Kiwi twist, making it a unique and delightful experience for all.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the most widely celebrated festival in India. It symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. In New Zealand, this spirit of Diwali is embraced with open arms and hearts, creating a multicultural fusion that is nothing short of brilliant.

In the Horowhenua, we have Diwali activities taking place next week at all three of our libraries, celebrating with children and family friendly crafts, storytelling, rangoli rice patterns and more. To finish off the week of celebrations, the Diwali festival, a large event showcasing music, food, and dance, will be held at the Village Green and Gladys Taylor Park in Levin. Let’s come together and be enchanted by the fusion of cultures, the resilience of the human spirit, and the shared joy in celebrating the festival of lights. Join us as our region’s striking beauty harmonises with the vibrant traditions of India, creating a tapestry of experiences that truly illuminate the heart.

If you’re looking for more knowledge regarding Diwali or Indian culture, our libraries are a great place to start. For the kids, check out Rama and Sita: The Story of Diwali by award winning author Malachy Doyle. This beautiful book is a simple and great introduction to the Diwali story to share with your children. If e-books are your thing, login to the Hoopla app with your library membership and borrow Diwali Festival of Lights by Rina Singh for an insight into keeping ancient traditions alive.

Libraries Horowhenua aim to create welcoming and inclusive spaces for people of all backgrounds. By celebrating multicultural events and holidays, our libraries acknowledge the diverse community we serve and are able to highlight our commitment to embracing cultural differences. The strong Indian community here in the Horowhenua is important to us, and this is reflected in our book collection and by recognising significant events and holidays like Diwali.