Hundreds of people gathered in Oakland on Saturday for a free Diwali festival celebrating South Asian culture and the city’s diverse communities.
The event, held at Bloc15 in the Jack London district, featured dance and music performances, South Asian food and activities designed to bring people from different backgrounds together.
Organised by Oakland City Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, the annual celebration was presented as an inclusive Festival of Lights, with free food and entertainment for attendees.
Ramachandran, who represents District 4, has helped establish the event as a growing fixture in Oakland’s cultural calendar. The festival has attracted more than 1,000 people in previous years, according to organisers.
Diwali, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in South Asia, is traditionally associated with light overcoming darkness and good prevailing over evil.
Saturday’s gathering was intended to reflect those themes while creating a welcoming space for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience South Asian traditions in an Oakland setting.
