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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

City Library Celebrates 10th Annual Diwali Festival Congressman Jim Matheson among special guests (SLC: Nov 13)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Julianne Hancock
M: 801.819.3763

City Library Celebrates 10th Annual Diwali Festival
Congressman Jim Matheson among special guests

November 2, 2011 – SALT LAKE CITY – The City Library marks its 10th Annual City Library Diwali Celebration on November 13 from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Diwali, the "Festival of Lights," is one of the oldest and most important festivals in India. Congressman Jim Matheson will be present at the festivities. 

The name Diwali comes from the Indian word "Deepavali," meaning "an array of lamps." Because Diwali falls on the new moon night, celebrants light lamps to ward off the darkness and to symbolize the onset of happiness and prosperity. Come celebrate with music, dancing, games, and more!

The celebration is sponsored by Sri Ganesha Hindu Temple of Utah and India Cultural Center and The City Library.

The event will showcase talented artists from the Indian diaspora in Utah. Children from the Salt Lake City Gurukul, a forum for children to discover, learn and appreciate their Indian and Hindi cultural roots, will begin the day with prayers for health, knowledge, and peace. The prayers will be followed by lighting of the Diya, a lamp which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The event will include music, song and dance performances by accomplished members of Utah's Indian-American community, including classical Indian dance forms such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and Odissi. There will also be traditional, folk and contemporary dances from various regions within India, performed and choreographed by members of the community.

There will be face painting and Henna for kids and light Indian refreshments will be served. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

The City Library Diwali Celebration is a wonderful opportunity to learn and share about India, its diverse arts and culture, wonderful traditions, its religions and festivals, multiple art forms, and meet the vibrant Indian-American community in Utah.


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JULIANNE HANCOCK 
Communications Manager | Salt Lake City Public Library
p: 801.524.8219  |  m: 801.819.3763 | jhancock@slcpl.org

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