The James Ronald Webster Park glowed in a way Anguilla had never quite seen before on Saturday 18th October, 2025. Strings of light, bursts of colour, rhythmic music and the scent of Indian spices filled the air — not for Carnival, but for the Diwali Motorcade and Cultural Evening.
Hosted by the Guyanese Association of Anguilla, this year’s Diwali marked a special moment in Anguilla’s cultural landscape. While the Hindu festival has been celebrated predominantly by the Guyanese community, this was the first time the wider public was invited to take part — and Anguillians of all backgrounds showed up, curious and eager to share in the light.
Diwali, often called the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrated across India and the Indian diaspora. It commemorates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. Diwali is marked by the lighting of the Diya (small oil lamps), which symbolises the removal of ignorance and the welcoming of wisdom, peace and prosperity.
Falling on the new moon between mid-October and mid-November, Diwali is a time when homes are decorated with lights, rangoli (colourful ground art), and offerings to deities such as Goddess Lakshmi, the bringer of wealth and fortune. It is also a time for family, reflection, and renewal.
The evening began with a motorcade that made its way to the end of the airport before looping back to the park. The lead truck, illuminated in bright colours and messages of hope, carried members of the Guyanese community dressed in traditional Indian wear — men in dhoti and women in vivid saris — waving to onlookers as rhythmic Indian music played through the streets.
The return to the park marked the start of an evening filled with music, prayer and cultural expression that captivated onlookers of all backgrounds.
“Hindus believe that God exists everywhere and in everything,” Mrs. Deoranie Bharrat noted, as she opened the programme with a heartfelt prayer in Hindi, invoking blessings to remove obstacles and sins.
The Hon. Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge then lit the diya. The act set the tone for the evening’s message of hope, renewal, and shared humanity.
Ms. Rodi Richardson, who was introduced to Indian culture through the Bharrat family, explained the significance of colourful Rangoli art displayed at the event. “The word Rangoli comes from rang, meaning colour, and avali, meaning a row of colours,” she said. “It’s a sacred, symbolic practice at the heart of Diwali. Just like the warm welcome and community spirit we celebrate here on our beautiful island, the Rangoli is a sincere invitation of joy and prosperity.”
The evening’s tone was one of togetherness. Mr. Carl Thomas, dressed in a yellow dhoti, greeted the crowd warmly: “We welcome everybody here. When you leave, spread the word that you had a wonderful time at our Diwali celebration.”
Mr. Cecil Chin, Advisor to the Executive Council of the Guyanese Association, shared his hopes for the future of the event. “It’s the inaugural presentation of a Diwali activity open to the public,” he said. “In time, it will become an event you won’t want to miss — one that takes its rightful place on Anguilla’s annual calendar.”
Premier Richardson-Hodge echoed those sentiments in her own remarks. “Opportunities like these allow us to learn each other’s cultures,” she said. “From what I’ve seen tonight — the outfits, the decorations — it’s all so beautiful. I want to continue to encourage our people to remain involved in the arts and culture we see here tonight.”
The cultural showcase continued with food, poetry, dances and musical performances—many choreographed by Mrs. Bharrat herself. Children took centre stage for an acrostic presentation of “DIWALI”, expressing the festival’s essence through words like Illuminate, Light and Ignite. Their message was simple but powerful: “Diwali is the festival of light. The victory of good over evil. Let’s celebrate with our friends and families.”
Music filled the night air — Arudra Bharrat played the 1949 Hindi classic “Suhani Raat” on the recorder, Mr. Elliot Gumbs delivered a moving rendition of “Mile Ho Tum” on the saxophone, and Clayton Thomas gave a powerful drum performance of “Pardesi Pardesi”. Each act brought the audience to applause, many swaying to the rhythm under the night sky. Mr. Ian Bibby also entertained the crowd by juggling glowing balls, keeping with the spirit of the occasion.
And, of course, no Festival of Lights would be complete without a dazzling display — fireworks lit up the park courtesy of Omari Bourne of the Anguilla Fire Service, closing the evening in true Diwali fashion.
For many, this Diwali celebration was a reminder of what community truly means.
That message of unity, of light shining through diversity, resonated deeply across the park. As families wrote Diwali greetings to friends and loved ones to be read aloud, it was clear that this festival — though rooted in one faith and culture — had found a new home in the hearts of many on the island.
By Janissa Fleming
