Romford celebrates Diwali the Festival of Lights!
On Sunday, October 27, under splendid weather, Romford held a Diwali celebration at the Romford Market Place. This event was organized by Romford BID and Havering Changing, in collaboration with the Havering Asian Social and Welfare Association (HASWA) and Clarion Futures.
The day was filled with amazing entertainment, featuring live DJ performances from Ravi, along with live music and exciting Bhangra and Bollywood dance shows. Additionally, guests explored a lively market offering a tempting selection of street food, as well as traditional Indian clothing, jewelry, bags, and plenty of other items.
Zareena Bano, an artist from Bradford, led a workshop focused on arts and crafts, drawing inspiration from truck art, which features vibrant floral designs and unique lettering. The event welcomed people of all ages, and attendees had the chance to get free Henna tattoos and face painting done by skilled artists.
Diwali, often referred to as the 'festival of lights,' represents the triumph of light over darkness on a spiritual level. This celebration marks fresh starts and encourages community and togetherness among individuals. Over a billion people from various beliefs come together to observe Diwali.
A great number of people attended this complimentary event, and it was well-received overall. Many attendees expressed their appreciation for the organizers, highlighting what a wonderful day it turned out to be. Some of the feedback included:
"It was amazing; I had a wonderful time. My daughter uses a wheelchair, and she was included in all the activities, even the dancing. You all did an excellent job, and I hope to see more of this in the future."
"Today is the grand Diwali event at Trafalgar Square, and I honestly didn't expect many people to show up. The large turnout and the lively atmosphere really say a lot. It's been such a wonderful experience."
"Vibrant, enjoyable, and welcoming. It's great to witness a blend of different cultures coming together."
"I intended to visit Trafalgar Square today, but after stopping by here, I've decided to stick around."
"The event offers plenty of activities, and the performances were excellent. It’s a great gathering for families. It's wonderful to see families and kids getting involved and having a good time."
"Unity, peace, and happiness. This event is fantastic! It highlights Asian culture and lifestyle while engaging with the community. I particularly loved the broader presentations this year. I'm already looking forward to next year. Huge thanks to the organizers!"
Julie Frost, the Director of the Romford BID, mentioned, "A key aspect of our business plan this term is to expand the variety of events in our town center. Whether it’s about culture, food, music, or art, we want to transform the Market Place into a central hub for celebrating and showcasing the diverse talents and creativity of our community."
James Jackson expressed, "Havering Changing is extremely proud of everyone who joined forces for this celebration. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners, team, community members, and performers: DJ Ravi, dhol drummer Tej Attalia, Veena Jain and her dance group, HASWA Kids and Ladies, Indian bansuri player Mayukhjit Chakraborty, Shin DCS, the Mauritian dancers from Segatastic, and visual artist Zareena Bano."
Manjit Singh, Project Development Officer at HASWA, expressed, "HASWA sends warm wishes for a joyful Diwali! Let us embrace the spirit of warmth and togetherness as we celebrate the festival of lights in unity and affection."
A big shoutout to the wonderful Manjit from HASWA, who truly embodies the spirit of community and offers support to countless individuals in Havering.
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