Derby, Nottingham and Leicester celebrated the start of multi-cultural events drawing the three Cities together with the launch of Kahani Diwali at the Council House in Derby on the 18th October.



The project was funded by the Arts Council, as The three Cities Create and Connect Initiative.It was led by Surtal Asian Arts in Derby who together with similar organizations in Nottingham and Leicester created a partnership to promote Asian culture through art. It is targeted towards schools to compliment the Diwali events that already take place in the three Cities. Kahani Diwali is a dance drama based on an extract from the Hindu religious script of Ramayana which tells the story of Diwali.



Councillor John Ahern of Derby (pictured) was joined by the Lord Mayor of Leicester (pictured) with the Deputy Lord Mayor of Nottingham Councillor Mohammed Munir to formally launch the project.



These celebrations are seen as a window through which Cities such as these can show how diverse cultures can take enjoyment from each others beliefs. A display created by local schoolchildren depicting the festival will be on show in the Eagle Centre Market until the end of November, when it will be replaced by the Santa’s grotto which the traders have every year to raise funds for local charities.