Known as ‘Holi’ in the Indian community the festival marks the arrival of Spring, the season of love, brotherhood and unity. Organised by ArtsEkta, Northern Ireland’s leading ethnic arts organisation, Festival of Colours is the most Indian orientated of the ArtsEkta festivals.

Visitors were treated to the wonderful spectacle of a traditional Coloured Powder Party which took place in a special arena in the market. Participants, some dressed in their oldest clothes, smeared and threw coloured powders over each other while dancing to the sounds of Bollywood, Hip Hop and House music provided by an Asian DJ. The festival organisers welcomed Lord Mayor, Councillor Pat Convery and Anna Lo, MLA as  chief guests.

According to Nisha Tandon, Director of ArtsEkta:

“We were delighted to welcome Lord Mayor, Councillor, Pat Convery and Anna Lo, MLA to Artsekta’s Festival of Colours- Holi. This is the most fun-filled and boisterous of all our festivals and the colour powder party is great fun to take part in and to witness. The festival is really good for letting your hair down, passing goodwill to each other and letting old arguments and disagreements pass. Its a fantastic big party and a very special event for the Indian people and diaspora. 

Nisha added:

“We are delighted to share this festival with people from all over Northern Ireland.  This is the third year Holi has been celebrated in Belfast and the entertainment and Colour Powder Party are especially popular among local people. I think people enjoy the opportunity to dress up in their oldest clothes and to fling coloured powders at each other. Where else do you get the chance to behave with such abandon!

The festival included a packed programme of live music and dance performances, food and craft stalls and a mini fun fair. Performers included Scotland's top Bollywood fusion group Desi Brave Hearts and the energetic Punjabi folk dancing group Balle! Shava!.

ArtsEkta’s South Asian Dance Academy (SADA) dance troupe premiered their stunning new choreography ‘Desi Girl’ and girls from St. Cecilia’s College in Derry performed their dance piece which they created with ArtsEkta for their examination portfolio.

An exhibition of artwork created by community groups from across the city who were involved in ArtsEkta’s extensive outreach programme, were also on display.  They included a Festival of Colours Textile banner produced by women from Alexander Park Avenue Women’s Arts and Craft’s group in North Belfast ; papier mache Elephant Heads created by local children and young people from the Roma and Islamic community at LORAG on the Ormeau Road; Indian Face Masks and Henna Hands made by the children from Taughmonagh Youth Centre.

View more photos of the event by clicking here