A massive Diwali celebration will be coming to Liverpool next year as part of Indika - a 10-day festival of Indian arts and culture by Liverpool-based arts group Milap.
The festival, which is the largest in Europe celebrating Indian music, dance and arts, will take place from November 12-22 next year, and a citywide celebration of Diwali will be a central feature of the line-up.
Alok Nayak, CEO and Artistic Director at Milap, said: "We want to establish Indika as a cultural highlight of Liverpool, and a vital part of our year-round programme.
Next year will be Indika's 10th year and the festival will return to the city with an expanded and eclectic programme of events featuring contemporary Indian music, dance, visual arts, film, poetry, talks and participatory activities.
The events will take place at locations across the city including St George's Hall, the Philharmonic Music Room and LEAF on Bold Street.
Alok said: "The festival is designed to have something for everyone, and we're expanding to venues across the city and working with some new partner organisations.
"In addition, we'll be introducing some new festival concepts that bring you closer to Indian arts and culture, including, for the very first time, a celebration of Diwali for everyone.”
When is Diwali?
Diwali is a Hindu celebration, also known as the festival of lights, and takes place between October and November each year, depending on the timing of the Hindu lunar month Kartika.
The festival usually involves spectacular displays of light and colour and is a great community event in locations worldwide.
Milap marketing director Archana Shastri said: "Liverpool is the home of Milapfest and we have been here for 35 years. It is a place that is known as a music hub and a festival city and people in this city really love the arts.
"We're really excited for the Diwali festival and will be releasing more information in the coming weeks.
"There will be a full day of mini performances, activities for families and children and different workshops to get people into the Diwali mood."
Year-round programme of Milapfest events
Established in 1985, Milapfest is an Indian arts and culture company, based in Liverpool and working internationally to inspire, educate and entertain.
Milapfest has a year round programme of Indian arts in Liverpool which includes regular music and dance performances and education via the 'Arts School', where anyone can learn different forms of Indian classical arts.
Indika was founded in 2011 and features performances from top artists from the UK, Europe and India coming to showcase their work.
Tickets will go on sale for Indika in Spring 2020.
More information can be found on the Milap website .
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