One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance"

As part of the Blueprint Newry, Mourne and Down PeaceIV programme we developed and delivered a series of workshops. Some moments visually captured below and a podcast.

Workshops: Making of Diyas, Preparing Masala Chai and Bhaji, Bollywood dance, Flower and Lantern making, Cookery: Chapthi and Tarka Dhal, Dot Mandala painting, Cookery: Shankarpali and Vadas, Quilling, Cookery: Chicken Biryani/Koshambir

The festival has was organised by members of Sagam in Newry, Mourne & Down with guidance and support from Beyond Skin where needed. The event is one of twelve large projects as part of the Blueprint project - a comprehensive ethnic minority cultural diversity programme across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area supported by the European Union’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).  Blueprint is open to anyone to participate and will have a strong intercultural focus on cultural celebrations and shared learning through creativity. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a strong thread through the entire Blueprint programme and special guest and SDGs expert Deepti Singh will join participants in some workshops.

"This Diwali event has been put together and will be delivered by people who are taking their first step in event design and management, and that is what Blueprint is about - helping individuals and groups with the resources they need to develop and utilise their skills beyond what they have done before , whilst the organisation (Beyond Skin) steps back and gently provides guidance when needed It is about ownership."  Darren Ferguson (Beyond Skin)

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Maurice Macartney from Migrant and Minority Ethnic Council interviews Suriya Suresh who co-developed the Diwali Festival