ORMONDE: Gauteng FNB Diwali Festival will be hosted at Gold Reef City for the first time this year on October 19 and promises an array of traditional song, dance, culture and cuisine.
Also known as the Festival of Lights, it is held in conjunction with the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and the South African Tamil Federation, and is sponsored by First National Bank. This year’s theme is ‘Serve and Unite SA at the Festival of Light Diwali’, and in keeping with the theme, there will be a Gauteng 1st Mass Unite Hawan (traditional fire ceremony).
“We are proud to be associated with one of the highlights on Johannesburg’s cultural calendar and believe that further establishes our position as the dynamic entertainment destination for the entire family,” said Eugene Boniface, marketing manager for Gold Reef City. “Last year there were 20 000 guests at the Festival in Newtown and we are hoping to see even more this year.
Visitors to the event can expect retail stalls, restaurants selling cultural cuisine, a stage for dancers and singers with performances taking place throughout the day. And in keeping with tradition, there will be a massive fireworks display to end off the evening.
Diwali is the perfect opportunity for the people of Jozi to come together and experience a mix of cultural diversity. With its popularity well-established in the Indian communities living in the province, the Gauteng FNB Diwali Festival is also a favourite for those who are keen to experience the many colourful facets of Hindu culture.
Entry to the event is free of charge. The event starts at 08:00 and will end with the fireworks display at 21:00. Following the opening night of the festival at Gold Reef City, it will then move to Durban for another three days.
For more information contact Irashan Surbun 076 303 8919 or Pauline Naidoo 082 875 9709.
