Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009

Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009

Deepawali (Festival of Lights) is a well known Hindu festival celebrated by Indian community all over the world.

Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2009 will be held at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on Saturday, 7thNovember 2009. It is a smoke-free, alcohol-free and meat-free festival with FREE entry to the public. In addition to the Rotorua public, invitations have also been sent to the Mayor and the councillors, Maori Elders, Parliamentarians, sponsors, community and youth leaders to come to participate, celebrate, enjoy and bless this cultural tradition.

In 2008, although it was a humble beginning, more than 1500 people participated considering it was the first year and that too an Election Day.

Our vision is to transform this Hindu festival into Rotorua community Festival by organising this event annually to share our cultural tradition; to bring up youth leadership in our community; to help improve the local economy by inviting out-of-town visitors; and to unite various groups to work together to enhance our cultural heritage in a positive way.

If you just do a Google search on "Rotorua Deepawali Festival" – you will see how much this festival has promoted Rotorua considering it is only on its second year of celebration.

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, Friends of India Society, Rotorua Indian community, Rotorua Fiji Indian Association Inc. and other community organisations; Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua Public Library, RAVE and many businesses.

Following the opening ceremony there will be various workshops on ancient Indian art (Rangoli), ‘henna’ decorating, and yoga. There will also be special workshops on Belly dancing, how to wear a sari or turban, and Indian cooking. There will be some information on Indian tourism, exhibition on Indian clothing and musical instruments. The food stalls will be supported by local Indian restaurants offering a variety of tasty vegetarian dishes. We have also encouraged Health Rotorua, NZ Vegetarian Society, Rotorua Multicultural Business Council to set up “information & education” stalls for the benefit of Rotorua public.

A number of young women, including a Maori, will be raising some funds with their henna skills and donate the collection to Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation – one teacher school.
Rotorua Public Library and RAVE (Art Village) will be displaying some posters and decorations, and run some programmes to promote Rotorua Deepawali Festival.

There will be a special Powhiri (traditional Maori welcome) at Apumoana Marae for out of town visitors. Some guests will stay at the Marae to learn, understand and experience Maori culture and customs. This is the sixth time that Hindu Council of New Zealand is organising a Marae stay for the Indian community to experience Maori culture.

An Indian cultural show will be held at the Energy Events Centre from 6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. We have received a huge response with more than 300 people on the waiting list. The cultural items will include a Maori dance performance, a variety of classical and folk dances, contemporary dances, classical music, and yoga demonstration.

The programme will conclude with spectacular fireworks display along with South American drum beats and fire dancing to the rhythm of the music.

Some comments from participants in 2008:
“…good to see a lot of Maori and other cultures there in support of the celebration”;
“…congratulations for lighting the candles of diversity in Rotorua”;
“a wonderful insight into your old and wonderful culture”;
“The sessions were educational - to help to understand, appreciate and respect cultural differences”;
“…a wonderful day full of colours, music, dance, yoga, food aroma, enthusiasm, happiness and laughter!”;
“…it was well run and an excellent initiative”;
“The fireworks lit up Rotorua skies in true celebration of Deepawali”;
“…after it had finished, we left with a joyous feeling”.

We thank Media who play a key role in promoting this festival, charitable funding agencies for sponsoring the event and community organisations & businesses for supporting the festival.

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.
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