NEWS RELEASE
REGION OF WATERLOO
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Following the overwhelming success of last year’s Diwali: The Festival of Lights, the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum is pleased to see the festival return this weekend. This year’s Diwali celebration will take place over two days, and features free admission to the Diwali Marketplace on Saturday, followed by a ticketed Bollywood Dance Party on Sunday evening featuring singer Nitin Sharma.
Diwali, also known as the ‘festival of lights’ is celebrated through the month of November and beyond. Widely observed among more than a billion people from a variety of faiths across India and its diaspora. Diwali originated on the Indian subcontinent and transcends religious and cultural lines in symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. For some, Diwali is also the beginning of a new year. This is a time for the community to come together in prayer, charitable giving, fellowship and feasting, family gatherings and lighting candles or clay oil lamps called “divas”.
“As we recognize Diwali, I’m excited to see our community celebrate the diversity and unity that make Waterloo Region so unique,” said Chantal Huinink, Regional Councillor, Regional Municipality of Waterloo. “This event reinforces our collective commitment to building a welcoming community and celebrating important traditions.”
This year’s event will introduce the community to new vendors, new workshops and an engaging new evening of entertainment. Once again curated by mental health advocate and wellness expert Iman Grewal, Diwali: The Festival of Lights is an opportunity to showcase the culture of the South-Asian community in Waterloo Region.
“I am extremely grateful to the Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives team for their commitment to diverse programming,” said Iman Grewal, event curator for Diwali: The Festival of Lights. “As a person of colour, and curator, it is my continued commitment and mission to create spaces for diverse communities that represent diverse voices. This is what drives my passion for this important work which is deeply rooted in seva (selfless service)”.
Diwali: The Festival of Lights begins Saturday, Nov. 9 at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and features a free Bespoke Diwali Marketplace featuring a variety of local vendors. A Tea Workshop by award-winning Tea Connoisseur Ramani Peiris of Natures Cup Tea will be available from 1 to 2 p.m.
Bespoke Diwali Marketplace Vendors include:
- Chasma Skin
- Dashmeet Kaur Paintings
- Desi Decor
- Henna With Ritika
- Kalaa Artisanal Showcase
- Le Posh Salon and Spa
- Lighten Up Mind
- MISM
- Nature's Cup Tea
- NB distilleries
- Served Co
- Zendiva Fashion
The festival continues Sunday, Nov. 10 with a Bollywood Dance Party featuring singer Nitin Sharma from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tickets for the event are available on Eventbrite.
For more information on Diwali: The Festival of Lights, click here
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