Holi Celebrations at Wollaton Park!

This year, Wollaton Park, was hosting a Holi Festival celebration for the public. It was a place for both a cultural enjoyment and as a charity fundraising and outreach opportunity. It was organised by the Nottingham City Council, but in collaboration with Nottingham Asian Arts Council and Sanskriti Association of Nottingham. 

Holi  is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, Equality and Spring. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, with the daubing of coloured powders for the blossoming of love. The powders used were all made from natural flower dyes. 

It wasn't quite as big as I was expecting, however it did get busier as the day went on. When we arrived, it was very quiet, but livened up as the time went on, mostly with thanks to the music. It started with some calming prayer music, then moved to dancing. There were 2 groups of children doing different varieties of traditional dances, then a group of adults and ending with a mother-daughter Bollywood duo which was my favourite. 

We didn't actually buy any colours, however we walked through the sectioned off dye throwing area and got a little covered. I also went round picking up rubbish from around the zone and stealing some of the dyes at the same time which have me the pretty face shades! 

Before we left, traditional drummers came out. Whilst they were just next to the stage so not very visible, they were loud and the accompanying music was perfect. It was lovely to watch the audience get involved and dance alongside, forming part of the entertainment! 

There was also some food vendors and a charity tent, however it was packed when we arrived in the areas so difficult to see and not very well separated. I thought there would be more, but there was just 4 in total I think. 

As you can see, I had a lot of fun! I somewhat wished we weren't going out again later that night because I then would have probably bought colours and gone wild throwing them everywhere!