September 19, 2006
By Tabisa Mntengwana
THE Newtown cultural precinct is the place to be for a fun-filled day for the whole family, where Joburg will celebrate its 120th birthday at this year's Diwali Festival.
The festival takes place on 7 October and is hosted by the City of Johannesburg.
Marketing manager for the City, Elsabe Booyens, says that the decision to launch Jozi's 120th birthday celebrations at the Newtown Diwali Festival is an exciting initiative.
A dance performance during the 2005 Diwali Festival in Newtown
(Photo: Newtown Diwali Festival)
Diwali is also known as the festival of lights, and it represents the triumph of light over darkness. It promotes messages of peace and harmony and is celebrated by millions of people worldwide as the start of a new year and a new beginning.
This year a series of events has been lined up for the day at Newtown, including music, children's activities, a fireworks display, dance and an educational programme "aimed at improving service delivery".
Entertainment includes Indian classical musician Patrick Ngcobo, jazz artist Kunlé, the Gauteng Indian Dance Academy, a Bollywood Street Party with Lotus FM DJs, and a fireworks display.
"The message of Diwali - which is peace, harmony and goodwill - is a common thread within Johannesburg's diverse communities," Booyens says.
"It stands to reason that the Newtown Diwali Festival is the ideal vehicle to bring every person in Johannesburg together in celebration of multicultural values and the city's 120th birthday.
"An added bonus is that the Newtown Diwali Festival is being held in the Newtown cultural precinct, which ties in aptly with the City's urban renewal project."
The festival will also host The Esoteric Fair at Museum Africa, where diviners, astrologers, numerologists and pranic healing practitioners will showcase their skills. Also at Museum Africa, there will be an Indian-themed art workshop for children where they will be able to learn beadwork and painting clay lamps, among other activities.
Besides the music, dance and fair, shopaholics will also be catered for with Indian wear, home and décor and beauty products on sale. According to the festival press release, this year's event boasts an even bigger and better selection of food stalls, promising to tantalise even the most unadventurous of taste buds.
The Newtown Diwali Festival starts at 10am and entrance is free.
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