Diwali festival 2011
As recognition of the growing importance the Indian expat community has in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area, Amstelveen will host a day-long Diwali festival on 22 October 2011, transforming the Stadsplein into a colourful, festive area.
Celebrating Indian culture
Amstelveen's city square will be transformed for the second consecutive year into an Indian fairground, complete with displays of traditional Indian music and dance - both Bollywood and classical. Of course there will be plenty of Indian and Dutch cuisine available, and this year the festival will end with a spectacular laser show at 19:00.
The festival is organised by amsterdam inbusiness and KPMG (one of the largest professional services firms in the world), and is also sponsored by several other companies. Entry to the festival is free, allowing everybody the opportunity enjoy the festivities.
Festival of lights
Every year in India the Diwali Festival of Lights is celebrated on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (October/ November). Diwali, or row of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs and although it has a different historical meaning to each group, in general it teaches us to vanquish the ignorance’s that subdue humanity and to drive away any darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge.
Strengthening relations
The aim of the festival is to honour the diversity of cultures in the Amsterdam Area while strengthening relations with Indian expats in the region. The Diwali festival is a great opportunity to bring native Dutch residents and the Indian community together.
Indian business growth
Over the past five years, the number of Indian companies operating in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area has more than quadrupled to 72. Eighty per cent of these companies are from the IT sector, and include major players such as Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro and Cognizant. Indians are currently the area’s fastest growing expat group. With the State Bank of India announcing they will set up an Amsterdam branch, this population will only increase as business transactions between the two countries becomes easier.
For more information about the Diwali festival in Amstelveen visit the Diwali festival website.
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