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Auckland, June 8, 2016
Applications are open for stallholders and performers who want to help celebrate Indian culture in Auckland at the 2016 Auckland Diwali Festival.
The Auckland Diwali Festival takes place on Saturday, 15 and Sunday, 16 October this year.
The annual festival brings together Aucklanders and visitors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate and experience traditional and contemporary Indian culture in its many exciting forms.
Vegetarian Festival
Auckland Diwali Festival is the largest vegetarian festival in the country and includes live performances by local and international performers, a broad range of Indian foods and sweets, street theatre and workshops, culminating in a fireworks display.
Presented by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and Asia New Zealand Foundation, the Auckland Diwali Festival takes place in Aotea Square and Queen Street.
ATEED Head of Major Events, Charmaine Ngarimu, says: Along with Pasifika Festival, the Auckland Lantern Festival and the new Tmaki Herenga Waka Festival, the Auckland Diwali Festival is one of the major cultural events in our region.
The festival is a great way for people of all backgrounds to experience some of the many facets of Indian culture and celebrate Kiwi-Indian culture here in Auckland.
Asia New Zealand Foundation Executive Director Simon Draper says: Aucklands Diwali Festival gives all Aucklanders the chance to celebrate Indias best-loved festival and to experience the vibrancy and talents of the citys Indian communities.
Groups and performers who would like to be considered for stage performances, street performances and the Radio Tarana Bollywood dance competition at the 2016 Auckland Diwali Festival need to apply by 31 July 2016.
Auckland Diwali Festival stall sites are available for vegetarian food, sweets, craft, and henna vendors, or to promote community organisations and businesses. The deadline for stallholder applications is 30 June 2016.
Further information, online application forms and dance competition judging criteria can be found on diwali.
