Motueka’s first Diwali Festival brought colour and culture to Decks Reserve on Saturday, with food stalls, dancing, markets and family activities offering plenty to engage the crowd.
Dance troupe Farah Fusion gave an elegant performance, with dancers Indy, Phyllistina, Saskia and Layla using the elements to their advantage and letting their scarves soar in the frolicking wind.
Diwali, known as the Hindu Festival of Lights, is a multi-day celebration symbolising the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
The event was coordinated by Experience India and Multicultural Nelson Tasman (MNT).
MNT’s next event is a drop-in collage session led by artists from Peru and Mexico at Te Noninga Kumu-Motueka District Library on Saturday, 29 November, between 10am and 1pm.
The community is also welcome to attend a multicultural potluck dinner at the Motueka Over 50s Social Hub at 10 Pah Street on Friday, 5 December, from 5.30pm. Participants are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share if they can, and to wear cultural or traditional clothing if they wish.
MNT coordinator Sez Fyfe says these events celebrate “diversity and kotahitanga [unity] in our region”.
