27 Feb 2017

Christchurch’s Holi Festival of Colours is coming back this week – and you’re all invited along!

The festival is being held at a new venue on the corner of Madras and Gloucester streets (opposite Latimer Square) on Saturday, and entry is free.

Festival goers at the Holi Festival of Colours

Festival goers at the Holi Festival of Colours

A traditional Indian festival, Holi is celebrated around the world. It is designed to bring people together and strengthen communities. During the festival powder colours are thrown to symbolise everyone becoming equals, whether they are friends, foes or strangers.

“Everyone in Christchurch can dance, throw colours and have fun together,'' says Holi co-organiser Hitesh Sharma, from Revel Events.

Performers from the TribalDiva Belly Dance Company will be performing at the festival and the group’s director, Tracey Saunders, can’t wait.

“I can't wait to be part of this year’s Holi. It's awesome to see different cultures coming together to celebrate one another".

Also taking to the stage will be Bollywood hip hop group, Subject 2 Change.

“Holi, for me, is all about spending time with the people I care about and being amongst all that colour - which is something you don't get to do everyday,’’ says Subject 2 Change member Darshana Darshika.

Others helping to get the crowd into the Holi spirit will include entertainment group, Chant et Danse. International DJs will also be there to keep the crowd on their feet in the colour-throwing zone.

Christchurch City Council Head of Recreation and Sport John Filsell said the Council was delighted to see the festival taking place in the Eastern Frame – one of the first to do so.

"Council have supported this event to enable its success and it’s great to see it in the new location in the Eastern Frame this year. We have had a fantastic run of events this summer and we’re looking for the wonderful sights, sounds and colours of the Christchurch Holi festival on March 4."

Indian food and traditional Indian games will once again be part of the day including the crowd favourite Matki Phod. This game sees teams of three to five work together to create a human pyramid and then try to break a pot of coloured yoghurt above their heads.

The Holi Festival of Colours will be held between 11am and 3pm.  Holi colours will be available to purchase at $5 for two packets.

Find out more at Facebook.com/ChristchurchHoli.