This years, An Indian Summer Festival kicked off in style today at a special public launch event at Jubilee Square.
To officially launch the 10 day festival, laughter yoga, cooking demonstrations and live music were performed. There was also a private launch on the Thursday evening at Curve Theatre.
The festival which is now its fifth year, is the biggest celebration of South Asian arts and culture in the Midlands. Organisers are expecting over 10,000 visitors to attend the festival which runs until the 28 June and takes place in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter and at other selected venues throughout the city centre.
Festival goers will be able to experience the colour and vibrancy of India, with yoga, meditation, dance, cookery classes, interactive workshops and a diverse programme of live performance and visual art.
Project Manager, Jiten Anand who started the festival with his Brother Bipin back in 2011 explains what will be on offer, “There’s going to be over 80 workshops and we’ve got lots of exciting things happening for family and for friends, there is the infamous Holly dance where everyone can get involved, lots of colour and splash, we also have the workshops for young people as well, so toddlers can pop along, its the Indian Summer that everyone knows, everyone loves but this time its bigger, its better, and if you have got to be there, or your going to miss out on one best festivals of summer.”
International and local artists including Botown, Hetain Patel, Guneet Monga, Nikesh Shukla and Sonia Sabri Dance Company will perform. There will also be a programme of Indian film and the opportunity to discuss some of the most evocative and controversial themes affecting young Asians today.
Creative Director, G Sian added: “It’s such a wonderful opportunity for people from all over the region to come together and experience the magic of India in fun, engaging and inspiring ways.”
An Indian Summer Festival runs from 19 – 28 June, go to www.indiansummer.org.uk for more information.
