Victoria has begun gearing up for the annual Federation Square Diwali celebrations. Beginning on 20 October, the festival of lights will be celebrated till 25 October, with dance performances at the City Square and at the Flinders St Station on 23 October and marathon Bollywood film shows on 23 and 24 October at Fed Square. The City will also witness a specially decorated carriage for Diwali with the Indian music in the CBD for two evenings.
International travellers will get to enjoy beautiful Diwali decorations and live dance performances at the Departure Lounge of Melbourne Airport from 19 October to 26 October.
The main event on 25 October will immerse the Federation Square in the rich colours of India. The non-stop culture blast will have events ranging from craft workshops, jugglers, clowns, face painting for children, interactions with AFL players & Australian cricketers to multinational bazaar and food stalls. For those who love music and dance, captivating traditional/Bollywood dances, an Indian dance workshop and a live band will perform. Local Indian, Fijian, African, Chilean and Chinese artists will perform some unique collaborative fusion items, never seen before.
This year, a tribal dance troupe from Orissa, sponsored by the Government of India is coming to Melbourne to perform for the festival. While most of the cultural activities will be outdoors, inside the Deakin edge we there will be lecture-demonstrations on yoga, meditation, as well as some classical Indian performances along with a special exhibition will be on display.
Like in past years, the organizers have joined hands with White Ribbon, in their campaign to “Stop Violence against Women”. At Fed Square, oath taking ceremonies will be conducted, urging all Victorians to say no to violence against women.
The festivities will begin at noon and culminate with a spectacular fireworks display on the Yarra at 9.30pm.
This is a free, family event and is sponsored by the OMAC, City of Melbourne, AGL, Melbourne Airport, Government of India, Fed Square, Metro, Corporate groups like MB Films, Telstra, AFL, Nowicki Carbone, Air India, Cricket Australia, supported by the Fiji Hindu Foundation and many Indian Community Organisations.
For details, visit www.celebrateindia.org.au, or Email: contact@celebrateindia.org.au
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