Diwali on Trafalgar Square is more than just a festival; it’s an immersive cultural experience that brings together elements of dance, music, art, and spiritual reflection.
Trafalgar Square itself has a rich history intertwined with Indian diaspora and British India, marking it as a site of cultural celebration but also so much more.
In the early 20th century, Trafalgar Square became a gathering point for Indians in the UK who fought for independence from British rule, seeing numerous protests, speeches and gatherings.
Again,this continued during the 1970s and 1980s, as racial tensions rose in the UK, it became a rallying point once again to advocate for equal rights and cultural pride.
Finally, just around the corner, in Parliament Square, stands tall a statue of Mahatma Gandhi honouring his role in the independence movement, but also the long standing connection between India and the UK.
Each event subtly transforms a historical monument of British imperialism into a stage for cultural pride, symbolising the solidarity and integration of the Indian community - representative of the layered history of Indians in Britain.
For me, this expression of identity with Diwali being hosted at Trafalgar Square was particularly poignant with the recent far-right protests as its backdrop. This event took on added significance, transforming the square (an emblem of London) into a symbol of resilience and community. It highlighted a powerful contrast: where there had been division and tension, there was now a firework of creativity and unity.
Organised by Sadiq Khan in collaboration with local Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, this free event invites people of all backgrounds to experience the traditions, tastes and festivities of an important cultural celebration.
This act reflects Diwali’s core message of peace and unity, bringing together thousands who gather to celebrate this shared message.
The activities are designed to engage children and adults alike from sari and turban to puppet shows and cookery. This beautiful celebration feels like stepping into a living alchemy! It’s a powerful blend of everything that makes people human: movement,music,energy and just pure joy.
With the national dish of the United Kingdom being chicken tikka masala, it seems fitting for the monumental emblem of London being transformed to a fusion of fabulous foreign food. Numerous stalls lined the square, serving a variety of traditional dishes, from savoury samosas and spicy curries to sweet treats like gulab jamun and jalebi.
Traditional dances like Kathak and Bharatanatyam, as well as colourful Garba and Bhangra performances, represent the diversity and scale of India’s regional cultures.
A dancer at the event,Monica Sachdev, told me, “Performing at Trafalgar was incredible - there’s this amazing energy in the air, with the history around us and people from all over the world gathering in one place. The backdrop of the National Gallery gave it such a unique atmosphere and sort of symbolised my multicultural identity.”
Moments like this remind us all that first and foremost, London is a multicultural city and it is that which makes us this vibrant, thriving community. The culmination in fireworks, set against a historic London skyline, felt like a rebirth, a reminder that London’s true strength emerges in times of togetherness.
