With bright colors and delicious scents, the Stadsplein in Amstelveen turned into an Indian market for a few hours on Saturday during the fourteenth edition of the Diwali Festival, the Indian festival of light. With approximately 5000 people, the Indian community in Amstelveen is the largest non-Dutch community in the municipality.
The traditional Diwali festival celebrates the victory of light over dark by millions of people around the world. Often with clay oil lamps and large fireworks. There were no fireworks in Amstelveen. There was, however, a stage with Indian dance and music and an extensive market with Indian food and Indian goods.
International Municipality
The festival was opened by Councilor Adam Elzakalai, who was decorated with a red dot on his forehead for the occasion. “I had the honor of opening it this afternoon. Then that red dot is part of it, I’m quite proud of that,” said Elzakalai.
The alderman emphasizes that the Diwali party is a good illustration of the international character of the municipality of Amstelveen. He has an explanation for this: “The attraction of the many international companies that are located here, but also the society in Amstelveen that is really geared to it,” says Elzakalai.
“It’s a bit of the chicken and the egg story,” explains Ritika Mehra, who is involved in the organization of the Diwali festival. “Because there are so many Indian people, there will also be many facilities such as shops and festivals.”
But the Indian festival of lights attracts many more people than just Amstelveners with an Indian background. “I like it,” says a cheerful Amstelveen visitor who has just entered the market with his wife. “Amstelveen is very international, we had Japanese neighbors for years,” he says. “In any case, I plan to eat an Indian snack soon.”