On Monday October 20, the University of Limerick was given the opportunity to partake in one of the biggest holidays celebrated in India; Diwali.
The University of Limerick has always been a proponent of cultural exchange and appreciation, with societies such as the International Society and UL Global, whose main goal is to promote diverse cultures.
For over five years, a celebration for Diwali has been hosted in UL Globe building, but this location wasn’t big enough to host all the wonderful people eager to join. So this year UL Global partnered with ULPSU (University of Limerick Postgraduate Student Union), stepped it up, and had the University Concert Hall booked to host the ever-growing number of celebrants.
The Vice-President of ULPSU, Muhammed Adnaan, gave a speech explaining the significance and meaning of Diwali.
“Diwali is a celebration of Lord Rama, in our tradition, the Indian tradition, Lord Rama is a god. When he came back home after exile, after defeating the demon Ravana, someone who is a symbol of all the hardships, bad things, and darkness.
“Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over bad, hope over despair,” Adnaan continues.
“The reason why we light up the earth is to light up the environment and prevent darkness. Darkness is not just the stereotypical bad things, but even laziness.”
A major component of Diwali is the firecrackers and fireworks, lit candles and light-filled events, with the intent of spreading light everywhere.
“Diwali isn’t just about lights and sweets, it’s about finding joy wherever you are, spreading positivity and staying connected to your roots by creating memories here.”
The University Concert Hall was decorated with flowers, candles, garlands and more. There were tables set aside with cultural snacks and treats, another set aside for bindis and mehndi to be offered, and a final one with a decorated centrepiece bowl, meant to represent the Urli bowl.
The event started just after 12 and the hall was full of people adorned in cultural attire like Dhoti and Sarees. The celebration started with an acknowledgement speech thanking all the volunteers and members of UL Global and ULPSU, with a special thanks to Adele O’Carroll. It went on to have a series of performances, with people singing famous songs and doing a variety of dances.
From 12:30 to 14:00, as the performance continued, attendees ate gulab jamun, motichur ladoo, and more. Some got creative mehndi designs done, and others decided on which bindi colour suited their vibe. The Concert Hall was full of celebration, laughter and colours.
When the main celebration ended, students who attended the event at the Concert Hall were urged to stick around the Main Plaza for a special surprise; those who did, along with unsuspecting passerby’s, were graced with a spectacular flash mob!
At 14:45, the music started, and people fell into position and gave a grand performance. There were over five dance numbers to popular Indian songs, some solo dances, and some group dances. At the end, people were encouraged to join the groups and create a massive dance floor.
The festivities continued later in the day, with a major DJ from Dublin, DJ Neville Fernandez, performing at Stables Club.
Stables Club was packed, and everyone was dressed gorgeously, it was an amazing end to a wonderful event.
The Diwali celebration at UL was one for the books, and it was all thanks to the effort of UL Global and ULPSU, as well as the volunteers and DJs who helped.
The celebration was a representation of UL’s mission to embrace cultural diversity whilst promoting inclusivity and safe spaces for their Indian members.
