With bright colours, dancing, music, and joyful attitudes, Diwali celebrations are taking place all over the world 鈥� including one held by the Township of 91原创 at the Muriel Arnason Library, Saturday, Oct. 26.
Translating to 鈥渁 row of lights,鈥� Diwali is the most widely celebrated Indian festival, and marks the victory of good over evil and the beginning of the New Year in India.
Festivities can last four to five days, with the bulk of activities this year occurring on Sunday, Oct. 27.
Sarwan Singh Randhawa, community librarian supervisor at Muriel Arnason, is the founder and organizer of this particular Diwali festival, having started it when he was employed at the Aldergrove Library in 2004.
鈥淎t that time, there were not very many multicultural activities in this area, and there was a need to start such activities that can help promote cultural awareness,鈥� Randhawa explained. 鈥淔or this celebration, we included several dances and other activities from different cultures that started a new trend in 91原创.鈥�
Randhawa said the details of the library鈥檚 Diwali event haven鈥檛 changed too much over the past 16 years, except for the occasional performer.
He said 500 people turn out to the celebration every year and expects the same numbers of guests filling up the library once again.
The event is free, open to all ages, and runs from 1 to 3 p.m. with crafts, facepainting, Native and Punjabi Bhangra dance performances and lessons, displays, and refreshments (samosas, pakoras, cookies, and coffee).
Henna artists will also be on site to design decorative patterns on people鈥檚 skin 鈥� a common tradition in Indian culture.
Randhawa said there is no need to bring anything except for an open mind.
鈥淒iwali is a celebration of joy, light and happiness, and is associated with the victory of good over evil, as well as sharing, caring, forgiving, and loving sentiments,鈥� Randhawa said. 鈥�91原创 is a beautiful community, and if we can make it even better by celebrating such events together while learning from each other, it will be the best.鈥�
Read More: Celebrating the victory of light over dark at 91原创 Diwali Festival
For more information, people can call 604-532-3590 or drop in at the Muriel Arnason Library, located at 20338 65 Ave.
To his knowlege, Randhawa said there is not another comparable public Diwali event of a similair size and scope in 91原创, but did say Aldergrove Library will hold a Diwali storytime and craft program on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 10:30 a.m.
鈥淚 hope it鈥檚 contributing to making our community an even more welcoming place to live. The Diwali celebration offers local residents an opportunity to enjoy a variety of multicultural activities while learning about each other鈥檚 cultures,鈥� Randhawa added.
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