Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights
in celebration of
Indian culture and traditions

Downtown San Antonio was aglow on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 with the third annual Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights.
The event took place once again at HemisFair Park by the Tower of the Americas and ran from 5-10 p.m.
Hosted by the City of San Antonio's International Relations office, the India Association of San Antonio (IASA) and the Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce, this free event celebrates Indian culture and traditions, while also showcasing the City's Sister-City Agreement with Chennai, India and its efforts to provide quality cultural programming to all San Antonians.

"Like all of its Sister-City Agreements with cities around the world, the City of San Antonio is proud of its partnership with Chennai, India.
The Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights has grown to become one of San Antonio's signature cultural events.
We were thrilled to co-host the festival once again and to continue to provide meaningful cultural programming to residents and tourists, alike," said Elizabeth Costello, Director of the City's International Relations office.

This annual celebration of Indian culture featured Indian dance and entertainment, an Indian craft market with henna body art applications, various food vendors selling authentic cuisine samplings and a special lighting ceremony where 2,000 candles - double the amount from the previous year - were released into the fountains at HemisFair Park.
Last year's festival welcomed an estimated 8,000 attendees, according to festival organizers, 2011 year's event was even bigger.

"We are proud that this event continues to grow each year and that the community of San Antonio, as well as visitors to the city, joined us to celebrate the traditions of Diwali, India's largest and most festive holiday," said Kausi Subramaniam, member of the DiwaliSA Committee.
"The 2011 festival was the best one yet."

Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights is the only major celebration showcasing Indian culture in San Antonio.
Since signing a Sister City Agreement with Chennai, India in 2008, the City, especially through its International Relations office, has committed to strengthening its relationship with the Indian community of San Antonio. The International Relations office attracts global trade, foreign investment and provides protocol services for the San Antonio community and strives to foster foreign relations on behalf of the City in various capacities.

Diwali (also known as Deepavali) is a significant festival celebrated in India and recognizes the victory of good over evil.
Fireworks and diyas (candles) are central to the cultural tradition.

Contact Us / web-site:
diwalisa.com/organizers.htm

Follow us on / Facebook:
facebook.com/pages/DiwaliSA/117294851709562

Follow us on / twitter:
twitter.com/#!/DiwaliSA/statuses/119031476917518336

Diwali San Antonio 2011 Planning Committee
Kausi Subramaniam:
(210) 273 2200
Hema Viswanathan:
(210) 274 8450
Vijaya Botla:
(210) 336 4437
COSA International Relations Office:
(210) 207 8100
or call the
City's International Relations office:
(210) 207-8100