The Development and Management of a Transnational Tradition: The Case of Diwali in Leicester

Abstract

Many customs and traditions originating from outside of the
United Kingdom are now becoming integrated within the identity of
certain areas. This can be observed in Leicester, a city of 330,000 in
the East Midlands of England. Leicester is one of the most ethnically
diverse cities in the UK, with fifty per cent of the population now ethnic
‘minority’, with Indians making up the largest element, the highest rate
outside of London. The culture and heritage of these groups are observed
in different ways, and a notable example is Diwali. Also known
as The Festival of Lights, Diwali spiritually signifies the victory of light
over darkness, and is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and
Jains. The Diwali celebrations in Leicester are some of the biggest outside
of India, with up to 40,000 people attending the switch-on of lights
and Diwali Day. The festival now occurs over a two-week period, with
a firework display, Ferris wheel and live cultural entertainment including
dance exhibitions and classes, storytelling workshops and cooking
demonstrations. This paper focuses on how the Diwali celebrations in
Leicester have developed over time from a small local event in 1983
with a few lights on display, to becoming a celebration of Leicester’s
multi-cultural heritage, and the revamp of 2015, with over fifty events.
These changes are explored through an examination of Leicester City
Council’s Festival and Events Unit.