One of the many benefits of living in a multi-cultural society is the variety of festivals and celebrations that occur at certain times of the year. In particular, as the winter months loom large on the horizon. We all need something to lift our spirits.

‘Festivals of Light and Fire’, was a video project undertaken by a group of German students for Charnwood Arts through Kala Kahania, vividly depicts four festivals that fit the bill. This is Joerg Linke's second placement at Charnwood Arts and he, Ines and Elisabeth worked on this Kala Kahani related project with video maker Alan Cesarano, storyteller and Kala Kahani co-ordinator Hema Acharya and trustee Purnima Chavda to produce a film looking at the autumn festivals of Diwali, Navratri, Bonfire Night and the Loughborough Street Fair, one of the largest remaining street fairs in Britain.

The Leonardo trio are learnt all the ins and outs of video making and have been surprised and delighted at the vibrancy of this festive period in the town.

Durga Pooja is a Hindu festival. It is also known as Navratri, which translates as nine nights. Over the course of the nine days and nights, traditional dances, such as the Rass which is dancing with sticks, and Garba, which is a clapping dance take place. This is to commemorate the twin triumphs of the god, Rama over Ravana and the goddess, Durga Pooja over Mahisasura.

This festival is all about looking not just at the evil in the world around us, but also at those within ourselves. It is said that within every being there is both a Rama and Ravana, the capability for both good and evil, light and dark.

Diwali is another Hindu festival. It lasts for five days and begins on the 15th day of Kartika. During this time, the lunar year finishes and a new lunar year begins. On the first day of the festival the goddess of wealth, Laksmi, is welcomed into people’s homes bringing with her luck and fortune. This day is known as Dhanteras.

The second day is for worshipping the goddess Kali. She is the goddess of strength and is believed to abolish the evil sin of sloth and punishes the lazy.

On the third day, lights are lit. Diwali literally means Festival of Light. The light symbolises the knowledge that has been divinely bestowed.

The penultimate day in the festivities is the first day of the lunar new-year. The last day is called Balipratiada, often shortened to Bali. Over the course of the holiday people sing and dance to give thanks for the enlightenment.

Remember, remember the fifth of November.
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

The above poem tells of the story of Guido Fawkes or Guy Fawkes and his involvement in the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Although he didn’t act alone (there were 12 other conspirators), he is the man remembered and celebrated every year with bonfires because he was the only one caught. (Under the House of Lords.)

When the Londoners of the early 17th century (1605) heard the news of the foiled attempt to destroy the home of democracy, they lit bonfires to celebrate that their King, James I, had survived the treasonous plot, thus the beginning of the tradition.

Soon people started to make then burn ‘dummies’ or effigies of Guy Fawkes. So began another tradition of ‘penny for the guy.’ The pennies would then go towards fireworks.

Loughborough Fair takes place annually from a Thursday to the Saturday. It is the oldest in the area, having run for 781 years. It is opened at noon on the Thursday by the Mayor reading a declaration from a copy of an Ancient Charter. This can be traced back to the times of King Henry III, when traders had to seek royal permission to have fairs and markets. At Loughborough Fair there are about 100 showmen and 20 large rides. Not exactly a festival but plenty of light and people enjoying themselves.

All of the above have certain characteristics that are the same. In particular, people coming together and sharing the fun and with a spirit of good overcoming evil.

I would say that Diwali is like Loughborough fair in some respects, with the lights and the enjoyment derived. You would be hard pushed to choose which was the more illuminating; the fair lights or the Diwali lights. However, it is impossible to equate either the smell of fried onions to incense sticks or the taste of candyfloss, burgers and hot dogs to Gathia, Mohanthal, Samosas and Jalebi.

Food seems to play an important part in festivals, in fact the word festival mean feast validated or allowed.

I would say that Navratri could be viewed in similar terms as the fifth of November with good as always beating evil and people rejoicing, once again in the light.

Another factor that is integral to festivals the feeling of happiness. In some of the above this is displayed through song and dance, yet in all with laughter and smiles.

As Britain becomes more multi-cultural, people are getting more curious about other festivals and traditions, curiosity becomes involvement. Humans as a species are sociable creatures. It is brilliant to see people coming together for events such as those mentioned here but why does it seem that there has to be an event for this integration. People enjoy celebrating together, why not celebrate each other?

Hema R. Acharya