Diwali 2021: Here’s why Victoria Square celebrations won’t be going ahead this year

Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated holidays for the Indian community - but Birmingham’s Victoria Square celebrations won’t be going ahead this year
Presenters at the Diwali on the Square event in 2019Presenters at the Diwali on the Square event in 2019
Presenters at the Diwali on the Square event in 2019

One of the year’s most celebrated religious festivals is fast approaching.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the major events celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, notably Newar Buddhists, across the world.

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The five-day long festival had to be scaled back last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but was still celebrated by families across Birmingham in their homes.

With no lockdown restrictions to contend with this year, families will be able to celebrate together once again - although one of Birmingham’s primary events for the festival won’t be taking place this year.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has confirmed that Diwali on the Square - held in Victoria Square in Birmngham city centre - will not be taking place this year.

Why isn’t the Victoria Square Diwali event going ahead?

Thousands of people have previously come together in Victoria Square to celebrate the festival with singing, dancing, live performers, and food - but the city centre event has been cancelled this year due to uncertainty around the pandemic and ‘a tight timescale’.

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A spokesman for the WMCA said:“There is a lot of planning and preparation which goes into a large community event like Diwali on the Square and with the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic earlier this year and a tight timescale it was decided, in discussions with our community partners, not to proceed this year.

“We are looking to return with a full scale event in 2022 and in the meantime the mayor and colleagues will be supporting community based celebrations happening throughout the region.”

Are there other Diwali celebrations going on?

There are many other Diwali celebrations going ahead across Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell.

These include The Festival of Light at Midlands Arts Centre.

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The MAC for Deepavali, the festival of light; promises to be a captivating evening of South Asian Dance showcasing Bollywood, Kathak, Bharatanatyam to Bhangara and Dandiya Raas, in celebration of Deepavali also more commonly known as Diwali.

This special family-friendly performance will take place on 6 November - the final day of the five day festival - and will feature some of the best British South Asian Dance artists, companies, and community groups from the West Midlands and across the UK.

When is Diwali 2021?

Diwali, also known as Divali or Deepawali is referred to the festival of lights because of the incredible light shows that are often on display during the celebration.

The festival’s date changes each year because the Hindu calendar is based on the lunar and solar cycles, but it always falls on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik.

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It is is celebrated over five days - this year, those days will be November 2, 3, 4,5 and 6.

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