LANGLEY, BC - On Saturday, October 18th, Muriel Arnason Library and the Township of Langley celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights. The festival was a colourful event where hundreds of people enjoyed the beat of many cultures. As David Thiessen, Manager of Township of Langley Libraries stated in his welcome speech, “A joyful occasion like Diwali is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to celebrate the richness and diversity of Canada”. Township of Langley Mayor Kurt Alberts and Councillors Grant Ward and Mel Kositsky conveyed their wishes for a happy Diwali to the community.
The
Diwali celebrations offered Langley residents an opportunity to enjoy a
variety of multicultural activities such as Mehndi, face painting,
music, dance, stories, puppet shows, food and crafts in a festive
atmosphere. A variety show featuring thirty-eight performers from ten
different cultures began with Canada’s national anthem, sung by Judy the
Manners Lady. Among the performers was Shyama Pryia, a native dancer
who entertained the audience with her unique dances. The Jusman Family
juggled and played drums and piano, dancer Sonia performed Spanish
dance, and two dancers demonstrated a variety of Mexican dances. Raks
Almeh presented Middle Eastern Belly dance, while Dance Trance Dancing
School & Talent Agency performed ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and
lyrical dances. The Falun Dafa Association of Vancouver presented
Chinese dances. Audience members also enjoyed lively Bhangra and Gidhha
Punjabi folk dances performed by the Sada Virsa Sada Gurav Bhangra Club
Abbotsford.
Muriel
Arnason Libary was filled with people of all ages during the
afternoon’s festivities. Adults could choose to have their hands
decorated with mehndi, or henna. Children painted diyas, or clay lamps,
created lanterns, and listened to puppet shows and stories by
Information Assistants Janis Glende and Nancy Bolton.
Sponsors
of this year’s Diwali program included The Aldergrove Star, Bombay Bite
Cuisine LtdBombay Bite Cuisine Ltd, Envision Credit Union, Imran Bhaiji
SBZ Enterprises, Immigrant & Multicultural Services, The
Langley Advance, The Langley Times, Vancouver City Savings Credit Union,
and Wired Monk Coffee Bistro. Sponsors were honoured during the
festival, as the event would not have been possible without their
assistance.
Participants and guests alike were pleased to take part in such a lively and entertaining local event. At the end of the program, Manager David Thiessen and Community Librarian Sarwan Singh Randhawa thanked the audience, sponsors and performers.
