The Auckland Town Hall will turn into temples and a forest of flowers with tigers, deer and elephants roaming the walls in a spectacular 3D light projection show coming to the city centre for BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival.
The festival is bringing exciting new celebrations to the city centre this October.
Known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali signifies the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the renewal of life. In celebration of this time-honoured festival, the Auckland Town Hall will transform into a dramatic visual narrative of Diwali light and sound.
After sunset from Monday 14 October through to Wednesday 23 October Aucklanders and visitors will see 3D projections of symbolic Diwali storytelling shining on the historic building in traditional Diwali colours of fuchsia pink, yellow and orange.
Nick Hill Chief Executive of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited explains how important it is to honour the rich tradition of Diwali in our city.
“This festival gives us an opportunity to thank our Indian Aucklanders who bring the vitality and creativity of this joyous celebration to the city centre and throughout their communities across the region every year.
“As part of the Auckland Council group, our team at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited is committed to supporting the cultural vibrancy and prosperity of Tāmaki Makaurau including hosting major events and cultural experiences. We are thrilled to have celebrated Diwali in Auckland for more than two decades,” he says.
Duane Wichman-Evans, festival director for Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, walks us through the show’s storyboard.
“As the sun rises in the narrative, we see the Town Hall stencil start to appear. We see images of the Hindu Gods appearing in windows. The pillars start to move and we see deer. A monkey then moves along the side of the building, transforming into four monkeys who climb the tower.
“The deer walk around the building, stopping to look out to the crowd. Bows shoot arrows at the tower which bursts into fireworks. As the monkey climbs down, the Town Hall is rebuilt into the temple in Ayodhya.
“Rangoli designs appear and dissolve into flowers becoming the valley of flowers. The flowers are blown away with the wind revealing the temple again with the iconic shape and silhouette of Tamil Nadu scenes. The sun rises and reveals the Sundarbans mangrove forest, with birds flying in the sky.
“A herd of Indian elephants arrives in the forest. They walk behind the pillars and through the jungle before the jungle falls away and the rangoli designs return,” Duane Wichman-Evans says.
Don’t miss the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival taking place during the weekend of 19 and 20 October in and around Aotea Square. Since its inception in 2002 the festival has been a vibrant showcase of traditional and contemporary music and dance with stalls offering delicious Indian delicacies and crafts.
This 3D light projection for the BNZ Auckland Diwali Festival is presented by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and supported by Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate.
For all dates, times and venues visit www.aucklandnz.com/diwali
Photos by Bryan Lowe, Auckland Council.
