Aylesbury Diwali Festival moved online during lockdown
Holy Cow Community Events has put together a virtual festival
Aylesbury residents are being invited to a virtual Diwali festival.
Holy Cow Community Events has moved its annual Diwali festival from the streets of Aylesbury online, following the coronavirus pandemic.
The decision was made 7 weeks ago before the second lockdown had even been announced. Organisers realised that the usual crowds and stalls would not be able to taken place for several reasons, and wants to make sure residents still got to enjoy themselves.
Julia is part of the team who have organised today's 3 hour virtual festival:
"I think we can agree that these are unprecedented times. The pandemic has affected the whole world and for many people it has been and still is a worrying time.
"I think the importance of the message of Diwali is one of hope and looking forward – that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
"The team of volunteers have pulled together artists from across the UK and World to come and take part. This also includes some extremely talented local people from the Hindu community – performing music, dancing, singing, and some traditional and fusion cookery demonstrations."
The Children from the Broughton School will be performing and signing a dance under the tuition of Bollywood Choreographer Jayakumar.
Whilst the children from Peploe-Williams Academy of Theatre & Performing Arts are performing a shadow puppet story.
Indian DJ and comic Ravi Sharma with also feature and there will be messages from the following people:
- Sadhguru, founder of the ISHA foundation with his hopes and wishes for Diwali
- Mayor, Mike Smith
- The High Sherriff of Buckinghamshire, Andrew Farncombe
- Aylesbury MP Rob Butler