Holi, India’s traditional Hindu spring festival, will be celebrated once again at Southern Illinois University Carbondale this year. Everyone is welcome to attend the festivities, featuring guest speakers and more, beginning at 2 p.m. March 25 at Morris Library.
“The celebration of Holi provides an opportunity for people to experience other cultures in a fun way while supporting our students, faculty and staff from India,” said Renada Greer, executive director of the Student Multicultural Resource Center and TRiO Student Support Services. “While the festival is primarily celebrated by Hindus, it is a very inclusive event, and one of the main themes is unity. We really appreciate the hard work of SIU’s Indian Student Association in helping organize the festival.”
Variety of activities
The festival kicks off in the John C. Guyon Auditorium with an informational session presented by the Indian Student Association. Various speakers will explain the cultural significance of Holi and why it is celebrated.
Afterward, participants will move to the library lawn where each will be able to claim packets of brightly colored powders. When the signal is given, everyone throws the powders into the air where the wind comingles the colors as they fall upon the crowd, symbolically representing love, unity, inclusion and happiness.
Organizers encourage those planning to attend to wear clothing that they don’t mind having brightly colored powder fall upon and also be mindful of the falling powder when choosing items to bring with them to the celebration.
Holi sponsors include the Student Multicultural Resource Center, the Vice Chancellor for Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and SIU’s Indian Student Association.
