Diwali Event

Glanymor and Tyisha Communities First has held its first ever Diwali Celebration Event.

The celebration on Saturday October 29 at Morfa Community Centre, Llanelli, was staged with the assistance of its two multiethnic groups, Ethnic Minority Help Association (EMHA) and Women’s Only Group (WOG). The event was funded by the Community Cohesion Fund.

Diwali is the biggest and the brightest festival of followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. Diwali has its origin in India but it is also one of the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia.

Glanymor and Tyisha Communities First held this event to celebrate the diversity of race and religion in Llanelli and explain to other community members the traditions and rituals on the holy festivals of different minority communities.

The objective is that the event will promote understanding and tolerance of other community’s customs and practices. More than 150 people of all ages, gender, social and ethnic background, religions and beliefs participated in the event.

Michelle welcomed the participants and girls and women performed a welcome prayer. Minkesh then narrated the story about Diwali and gave an enlightening presentation on how it is celebrated. He informed that it is also known as the ‘festival of lights’ because people decorate their houses, businesses and streets, cook of special food and sweets, henna paint their hands and feet, draw colourful rangoli patterns, light clay lamps (diyas), visit family and friends and exchange sweets and gifts and finally set off fireworks at night. In today’s multi-cultural society, it is celebrated as a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill.

This was followed by a spectacular Indian dance performance by girls trained in the dance classes run for the Women Only Group in Llanelli by Sarita, Indian Dance Artist. Girls and women participants then joined Sarita who led the Indian dancing workshops.

All children, young girls and women who had dressed up for the occasion then participated in a colourful parade showing and displaying various traditional ethnic costumes.

The participants, including children, were also introduced to a range of activity workshops which included Diya (lamp) making, Rangoli patterns, Henna painting and Saree-tying. Children made lovely Rangoli patterns using coloured powder. They also had fun having a go at making clay lamps.

Sarita said “I have been organising Diwali events across South Wales for many years but this is the first time I have been part of such an event in Llanelli.”

Farah Aziz Development Officer of Glanymor and Tyisha Communities First has described it as their effort to bring different parts of the community together, particularly in circumstances where they would not normally meet to promote community cohesion.

She said: “This event was meant to encourage people residing alongside each other in a geographical area to live with mutual understanding and respect. I was overwhelmed with the response and feel immensely satisfied. I hope we have been successful in their attempt of building cohesive community.”