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With about 1,000 people from the area in attendance, Aurora celebrated its second annual celebration at Waubonsie Valley High School with lights, dance, music and food Oct. 24, much like back home, but on a smaller scale.
The Chicago Tribune reported that the celebration of victory of good over evil and light over darkness, the main idea behind Diwali, was attended by some non-Indians as well, including Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner who formally opened the event by lighting a lamp in honor of goddess Lakshmi. The city co-sponsored the celebration with the Indian-American Community Outreach Advisory Board of Aurora, the report said.
“We’re celebrating the Festival of Lights in the City of Lights,” Weisner was quoted as saying. “Aurora is a city of many cultures, and we’re proud of that. Indian is one of our newest and fastest-growing cultures, and we thank you for being part of our community,” he said. U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-11th, also greeted people attending the event.
Although it was observed on a much smaller scale compared to India, the celebrations gladdened the hearts of residents who described it as good, evoking memories of India.
The attendees also utilized the occasion to acquaint their children about the culture of India and its traditions so the second generation could carry on the torch.
“Since man discovered fire, every culture has celebrated the triumph of light over darkness in one form or another,” the mayor was quoted as saying. “That gives me hope for a better future for all of us,” he said.
Some participants came to sample Indian culture in person, and described “as a really great cultural celebration,” the Tribune report said. While local Indian-American dance studios presented troupes of children performing traditional dances as well as Bollywood hip-hop routines, people, mostly children eagerly waited for the conclusion of the event with a display of fireworks.
The post Aurora Diwali Celebrations Attended By Over 1,000 appeared first on News India Times.
