This November 2nd, Middlesbrough’s Center Square transformed as residents from all cultural backgrounds came together to celebrate Diwali.
Despite being a festival that is majorly celebrated in Hindu and Sikh cultures, anyone and everyone was welcomed into the crowd for a night of fluorescent festivities.
This year, Diwali in Middlesbrough also served as a reminder of the importance of unity and cultural understanding, especially in light of past tensions.
Just three months ago, riots across the country challenged the cohesion of our diverse communities so for many, Diwali was an offering to bridge these divides, restoring ‘Boro to the welcoming space where brown and white communities can celebrate each other.
An attendee of Diwali said it was ‘heart-warming that so many cultural backgrounds attended in support of each other'.
Various community groups performed in front of the largest audience Boro’s Diwali celebrations had seen in years which organiser Kash Patel said was ‘amazing to see’.
The festival featured a diverse line-up of acts, including the energetic beats of Mi Marathi Dhol Tasha, a percussion group bringing authentic beats all the way from Maharashtra; the soulful melodies of Roma Sagar, an award-winning singer/songwriter known for her Bollywood and Bhangra sets; The Word, an anti-racism and social justice hip-hop group lead by a local chemistry teacher turned rapper; BollytunesUk, a group of renowned musicians aiming to unite communities through Bollywood; and the host DJ Shai Guy, bringing Bombay Funkadelic tunes all night long!
The festival was headlined by Muki and Haseeb, a Birmingham based duo who took the music industry by storm, making their Middlesbrough debut on the Main Stage.
As the 5 day Diwali period draws to a close, residents of Middlesbrough reflect on the deeper message of Diwali- the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
This will continue to resonate in Boro as it serves as a reminder of our rich cultural connections and the joy it brings to the streets of ‘Boro.
