Diwali celebrations were held at Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School, celebrating the Hindu festival of lights – a five-day festival which begins today, Friday, Nov. 1.
About 20 students performed bhangra dancing, dhol drumming and musical performances for fellow students, teachers and family members.
Vice-principal Jasbir Singh thanked students for coming together for the assembly, saying it was important for students to see that all cultural celebrations have their similarities, such as bringing together family, but also their differences, which must be celebrated.
"It's about embracing one another and celebrating these differences. That is what Diwali is about."
In English, the term Diwali can be translated into "a row of lights," and the festival is also called Divali or Deepavali.
The festival is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, the return of Lord Sama, Sita, and Lakshmana from exile and the defeat of Ravana.
The event was organized by teachers Nadia Lee and Harjeet Sidhu. Lee said they wanted to hold a Diwali assembly to celebrate South Asian culture and teach students about the festival.
"We wanted to build community in our school by celebrating this population."
Colleen and Gordie Howe Middle School has about 435 students in grades 6 to 8.