Do you make an incomparable dahi puri? Gulab jamun that people will travel across town for? Or are you part of a dance group able to help showcase Indian performance styles, from a brilliant Bharatanatyan, an awesome Odissi to a magnificent Manipuri and more?
Applications are now open for stallholders and performers for the 2017 Auckland Diwali Festival, which takes place on Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 October in Aotea Square and Queen St.
The annual festival brings together Aucklanders and visitors of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate and experience traditional and contemporary Indian culture in its many exciting forms.
Auckland Diwali Festival features live music and dance performances by local and international performers, a broad range of Indian foods and sweets, street theatre and workshops, and wraps up with a dazzling fireworks display.
The festival is delivered by Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), on behalf of Auckland Council, in partnership with Asia New Zealand Foundation.
ATEED Head of Major Events, Charmaine Ngarimu, says: “The Auckland Diwali Festival is one of the major cultural festivals in our region, with Aucklanders of all backgrounds embracing its joyful atmosphere, bright colours and wonderful vegetarian tastes.
“It also provides the chance to see the wonderful local dance and musical talent we have here in Auckland, as well as catch some stunning international performers.”
Groups and performers who would like to be considered for stage performances, street performances and the Radio Tarana Bollywood dance competition at the 2017 Auckland Diwali Festival need to apply by 31 July 2017.
The event is also the largest vegetarian festival in the country. Auckland Diwali Festival stall sites are available for vegetarian food, sweets, craft, and henna vendors, or to promote community organisations and businesses. The deadline for stallholder applications is 10 July 2017.
Further information, online application forms and dance competition judging criteria can be found on www.aucklandnz.com/diwali or by emailing the Auckland Diwali Festival team at [email protected]