6000 Lights
Leicester today has what is regarded as one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India, but the festival had very humble origins back in the 1960s.
This exhibition took place from Saturday 15 October – Sunday 27 November 2016 at New Walk Museum and Art Gallery in Leicester.
Diwali Celebrations in Leicester
The Story of Diwali in Leicester tells the rich story of the development of Diwali celebrations in Leicester with personal objects donated by the local community.
In this exhibition, local people shared their memories and photographs to create a unique record of how Leicester’s Festival of Lights, the most important date in the Hindu religious calendar, has been celebrated through the decades. Using the words of local people to tell their own Diwali stories, alongside archive photographs, the exhibition has created a unique record of how Leicester’s Festival of Lights has evolved over the years
The exhibition was accompanied by a range of Diwali related workshops both at the Museum and in community venues.
In partnership between Navrang and Leicester Arts & Museums
It was also accompanied by a Diwali travelling exhibition which toured libraries, community centres, colleges and places of worship in the City and County. A Diwali Resource Pack has also been created which is full of activities about Diwali.
6000 Lights is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and is a partnership between Navrang and Leicester Arts & Museums Service.
The word Diwali means "a row of lamps"
Diwali has religious significance for Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities. Known as the Festival of Light, Diwali represents the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. The word Diwali or Deepavali literally means “a row of lamps”. Enthusiastically celebrated around the world, Diwali marks new beginnings and a renewal of commitment to family values. It traditionally symbolises joy, love, reflection, resolution, forgiveness, light and knowledge.
CLICK HERE To download a booklet about the exhibition.
For information about the “The Diwali Activities Pack” or to borrow the Diwali Travelling Exhibition “6000 Lights: The Story of Diwali in Leicester” please contact: museums@leicester.gov.uk or navranguk@gmail.com.