City awaits official lights switch-on
PLANS are well under way for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations, which kick off with the switch-on of the city’s Diwali lights on Sunday 16th October.
This year’s celebrations are set to be as spectacular as ever thanks to sponsorship from O2.
The switch-on ceremony will take place on Belgrave Road at 7pm, with celebrations running from 6pm to 9pm. Entertainment will be provided by local Asian dance groups. And speakers on stage will include City Mayor Peter Soulsby and President of the Leicester Hindu Festival Navinbhai Rana.
The switch-on ceremony will be followed with a fantastic firework and laser display on the nearby Cossington Street recreation ground.
Cllr Piara Clair, chair of the city council’s Diwali working party said: “I am very proud of Leicester’s Diwali celebrations which attract people from all over the country and beyond.
“We are delighted that O2 have sponsored this year’s event, which has helped us to ensure that once again we will be able to put on a dazzling celebration that will be enjoyed by many thousands of people”.
Gosia Manka, Channel Marketing Manager for O2 said: “O2 are delighted to be the headline sponsors of this year’s Diwali celebrations in Leicester. To be supporting one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India is an honour. O2 would like to wish everyone a Happy Diwali and a fantastic start to the Hindu New Year.”
The city council is currently putting up the 3,000 metres of lights and displays that will line Belgrave Road for the festival.
The Diwali celebrations are organised by the city council and the Leicester Hindu Festival.Council. More information is available on the council’s website at www.leicester.gov.uk/diwali.
