Be a part of Sikh celebration in Leamington

Bollywood and bhangra dance, storytelling and Indian-inspired art will bring the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi to Leamington on Saturday (April 26).
The Sikh festival of Vaisakhi will be celebrated at the Pump Room on April 26.The Sikh festival of Vaisakhi will be celebrated at the Pump Room on April 26.
The Sikh festival of Vaisakhi will be celebrated at the Pump Room on April 26.

The Pump Room, working the the Sikh Community Centre in Leamington, Birmingham-based south Asian arts organisation Sampad and Warwick District Council, is hosting a celebration to mark the religious festival - which is the start of the Sikh new year and harvest festival and commemorates the year Sikhism was establised as a collective faith. It is celebrated across northern India and is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calender.

Starting at noon, the celebrations will include Bollywood and Bhangra dance performances and workshops and a theatrical storytelling about the birth of the Sikh religion and the story of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Gobind and his escape from prison.

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There will also be arts workshops - including one inspired by the Sikh Fortress Turban, during which participants will work on transforming 2.5m of turban cotton into a large artwork incorporating intricate daggers, swords and discs made out of Merino Wool. People will also have the opportunity to create their own mini Sikh-inspired masterpieces to take home with them.

Coral Manton, learning and engagement officer at Leamington Art Gallery at the Pump Room, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the Sikh Community Centre on this event and are doing all we can to make this a very special celebration.

“All are welcome and we hope people will join us at the Royal Pump Rooms for what promises to be a brilliant afternoon.”

The event is free and the workshops will run on a drop-in basis. To find out more, call 742700 or visit www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms/info/2/art_gallery_and_museum

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