Rotorua Deepawali Festival
Press Release

Kia Ora, Namaste and Greetings.

Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009 will be held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on Saturday, 7th November 2009. Like last year, we invite the Rotorua public (and out of town visitors) to come in big numbers to participate, celebrate, enjoy and bless this cultural tradition.

“This festival is unique in a sense as it is Smoke-free, Alcohol-free and Meat-free festival” said Dr Guna Magesan, Festival coordinator. Entry to the festival is also FREE.

This festival is truly becoming Rotorua Festival as majority of available tickets have been reserved by Rotorua public (non-Indian community), even before the media release. Only 67 tickets are left.

Deepawali (Festival of Lights) is a well known Hindu festival celebrated by Indian community all over the world. New Zealand Parliament also celebrates this festival annually.

In 2008, for the first time in its history, the Hindu community took an initiative to organise a Rotorua-wide community-focused Deepawali Festival at the Rotorua Convention Centre. This gave Rotorua public an opportunity to participate and celebrate this cultural tradition. Although it was the first year and that too an Election Day, more than 300 people were on waiting list. We thank Media who played a key role in promoting this festival, charitable funding agencies for sponsoring the event and community organisations & businesses for supporting the festival.

Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009 is proudly sponsored by Rotorua Trust, First Sovereign, The Lion Foundation, Asia NZ Foundation, Creative Communities NZ Rotorua Scheme, The Southern Trust, and COGS; and supported by Hindu Council of New Zealand, Rotorua District Council, Settlement Support NZ, Rotorua Ethnic Council, Rotorua Indian community, Rotorua Fiji Indian Association Inc. and other community organisations; Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua Public Library, RAVE and many businesses.

“It is good to see so many community organizations, charitable funding agencies and businesses are behind this festival” said Dr Meeta Patel, secretary of the festival organising committee.

As part of our regular learning and understanding of Maori culture, there will be a special Powhiri at Apumoana Marae for out of town visitors on the same day.

We look forward to seeing your family and friends at the Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009 on Saturday, 7 November 2009 at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009

7th November 2009
Rotorua Energy Events Centre, Rotorua

PROGRAMME

PART 1: OPENING CEREMONY & WORKSHOPS: 10.00A.M. – 4.00 P.M.
10.00 am: Official opening ceremony
Welcome; Lighting of the lamp; Karakia & blessing; blessings by local politicians, funding agencies and community leaders; Vote of thanks
(Attended by the Mayor, Councillors, invited guests, funding agencies & general public)
10.30 am: Opening of stalls selling
Delicious Indian vegetarian food; spices; Indian clothing and jewellery
11.00 am: Beginning of Workshops and demonstration
Rangoli (ancient Indian art); Henna (Temporary tattoo);
Yoga and Meditation; Bollywood dance; Indian music (tabla);
Indian bridal make-up; Belly dancing;
Indian cooking (Roti making);
How to wear a sari for women (and turban for men);
Kite making; etc.
2.30 pm Documentary on India Tourism & Exhibition on Indian science.
3.00 pm Workshops continue

3.00 pm Powhiri at Apumoana Marae for out of town visitors

PART 2: CULTURAL PERFORMANCE: 6.30 P.M. – 8.30 P.M.
6.30 pm: Welcome; Karakia (Maori & Hindu prayers)
A spectacular Indian cultural show of
Indian folk dances (Bangra, Garba etc);
Indian classical dances (Bharata Natyam, Kathak, Odissi)
Indian classical music (Sitar, Tabla)
Indian contemporary dances
Yoga demonstration
(Cultural performance is by artists from Auckland & Hamilton, and local artists).

PART 3: FIREWORKS DISPLAY: 8.45 P.M. – 9.45 P.M.
8.45 pm: Drum Beats by Samblasta
9.00 pm: Fire Dance
9.20 pm: Spectacular Fireworks Display
9.45 pm: Festival concludes
10.00 pm: Visitors will stay at Apumoana Marae

ENDS

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