Embrace the cultures of the Pacific Northwest and cultivate love, peace and understanding of the communities that make up our region. Join us for Seattle Center Festál: Diwali: Lights of India, noon – 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26 inside Seattle Center Armory. Join in a day of joyful celebration that marks the Indian festival of light.
Diwali: Lights of India features several hands-on activities including henna tattooing, spice mixing and flower mandala making, aromatherapy oils, roti making and cupcake decorating. Several food items will be available for tasting including vegetarian delights and a chai booth.
New to the festival is an art gallery showcasing Madhubani paintings and a workshop where participants can create their own works of art and add the phrase “Happy Diwali” in their first language. Guests may also partake in the traditional art form from Rajasthan that creates designs and printing on fabrics using wood blocks.
Among the several performances on the Armory stage will be the world-renowned Indian artist, Sanjib Bhattacharya, an accomplished Manipuri expert, Guru and highly regarded choreographer. Bhattacharya’s group Movements in Motion will present a dance act entitled “SAMARPAN.”
For full schedule visit https://www.vedicculturalcenter.org/
Newly added this year is the “Alaska Airlines Fly Away Giveaway.” Guests who obtain a passport inside Seattle Center Armory or by downloading online can collect stamps by attending festivals to be entered to win round-trip air travel for two to the Alaska Airlines destination of their choice. Each stamp is an entry to win; the more Festál events attended and stamps collected, the higher the odds of winning! More information at seattlecenter.com/festal.
Seattle Center Festál highlights the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Although the series began in 1997, the festivals took place earlier in their own ethnic communities. Now, Seattle Center serves as a central place, where festivals invite the public to join in their unique cultural expression. This year’s theme, “Love, Peace and Understanding,” is woven throughout 24 free, ethnic cultural festivals. In a time of divisive national rhetoric, Festál celebrates our shared humanity to build connections, tear down stereotypes and create trust. Seattle Center Festál: Diwali: Lights of India is a public program presented by Seattle Center in partnership with the Vedic Cultural Center. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival, visit https://www.vedicculturalcenter.org/, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.
About Seattle Center Festál:
This illuminating series of 24 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, Lyft, 4Culture, the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.
