Barclays to sponsor London Diwali festivities

Global financial service provider Barclays is the sponsor of this year's Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square in London from October 19.

Global financial service provider Barclays is the sponsor of this year's Diwali celebrations at Trafalgar Square in London from October 19.

HT Image

The annual event, so popular that it is televised live, is organised by the Mayor of London and the Diwali in London Committee.

"I am thrilled that Barclays has the opportunity to support such an important event as Diwali on the Square. It promises to be a fantastic occasion, celebrating the wonderful diversity of London," Chief Executive of Barclays UK Retail Banking Deanna Oppenheimer told Asian Image.

Visitors to the event will have the chance to learn to dance the Gujarati "garba", a traditional circular dance, and enjoy an opening ceremony where lamps will be lit to the tunes of Diwali songs.

A part of the show is called the "theme of Indian dance". The line-up will include Kathak from north India, Oddissi dancers from Orissa, classical Bharata Natyam, contemporary dance, and a touch of Bhangra.

Performers will include: Saraswati Academy of Indian Dance, Akademi, Encee Academy of Performing Arts, Apsara, Mudralaya and Kala - The Arts.

To coincide with the event, the National Gallery will hold a Festival of Light programme that includes a session where storytellers and musicians will retell Hindu stories, and draw connections between National Gallery paintings and the legends of Diwali.