LEICESTER’S Diwali celebrations are among the largest celebrations of the festival outside of India, and this year is set to be no different.
At the switching on of Diwali lights last month, some 35,000 people gathered around Belgrave Road and Leicester city council has lined up a grand fireworks display for this Sunday (November 3).
This year the celebrations will include a special Bharatnatyam performance encapsulating the history behind the festival.
Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant city mayor and chair of Diwali working group said: “This year we are delighted to welcome the incredible production of Spellbound; the story of Rama and Sita. Depicting the traditional Hindu story of love, loyalty and friendship, this performance uses a combination of shadow puppetry and beautifully choreographed Bharatanatyam traditional dance.”
Visitors to the city can enjoy live cultural entertainment at the Cossington Street Recreation Ground from 6 p.m. or make their own festive candles at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday (November 2) and visit the Golden Mile Shopping Festival which has been set up for the entire week.
City mayor Peter Soulsby said: “Outside of India, Leicester’s Diwali celebrations are among the largest in the world. Each year we see Belgrave Road transformed into a glorious tableau of light and colour as we mark the victory of light over darkness.
“Diwali is one of the many celebrations that makes Leicester’s culture so vibrant and unique.”
