THE ASIAN community in Leicester are gearing themselves up for a bumper Diwali party set to hit the city next weekend.
More than 6,000 lights will light up Belgrave Road next week Sunday as the city begins its Diwali celebrations.
The official switch-on ceremony along the ‘Golden Mile’ will follow an evening of cultural entertainment and dancing from 6pm.
For the official switch-on ceremony Mr Rajendrabhai M. Chauhan a former general secretary of Leicester Hindu Festival Council (LHFC) will press the button to turn on over 6,000 lights.
Also present will be the Lord Mayor, Cllr Gary G Hunt and Sir Derek Higgs, chairman of Alliance & Leicester.
Cllr Hunt said the event was a perfect way of uniting the city’s vast communities and cultures.
He said: “The festival of Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, of courage over adversity, of friendship over hostility. Let’s do what we do best here in Leicester, and unite! Unite, in peace, friendship and happiness for the celebration of Diwali.”
This year a three metre high hand crafted metal elephant will be paraded along Belgrave Road during the celebrations to entertain the crowds, and 20 large lanterns will light up the trees in Cossington Street recreation ground.
Around 60,000 visitors are expected to attend Leicester’s official
Diwali celebrations over the two days of festivities in the city.
