THE Indian Association of Bendigo is preparing for this year\u2019s Holi Festival, which last year got booked out.<\/p>\n
President of the organisation Abhishek Awasthi said their event was the biggest Holi celebration in regional Victoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cImportantly, it recognises and further establishes Bendigo as a multicultural town,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast year the issue was that it was all sold out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Awasthi said people have told members of the group they decided to move to Bendigo because of its strong Indian community, as demonstrated by events like the Holi celebration.<\/p>\n
\u201cBelonging is really key,\u201d he said. \u201cFestivals like Holi, they provide that connection to migrants.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to have more of these celebrations, where people can belong, where people can enjoy, and where people can celebrate with their families and the local community.\u201d<\/p>\n
A highlight of Holi is throwing coloured powder.<\/p>\n
Mr Awasthi said the blending of the bright colours was like the mixing of people from diverse backgrounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have different nationalities… different faiths that will be attending, everyone is welcome,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a cross-cultural exchange, not one way. These colours, they really signify that joy, that fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
State Member for Bendigo West, Maree Edwards, has been its \u2018number one ticket holder\u2019 since the local Holi event’s inception three years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor those who haven\u2019t been before, it is an amazing event, and one not to be missed on the events calendar across Bendigo,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole area is just enveloped in Indian culture, from the food trucks to the dancing, to the throwing of coloured powder on everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
The organisation received $40,000 to run the event through the Victoria Multicultural Festival and Events Program.<\/p>\n