A REGIONAL celebration of harmony and family values comes to Teesside next weekend.
The sixth Middlesbrough Nagar Kirtan – one of many held in multicultural communities around the globe – takes place on Sunday, July 12 in Centre Square and all are invited.
The Sikh festival is based on messages of love, happiness, and peace, with participants and volunteers coming from all backgrounds and religions.
Nagar Kirtan is a Punjabi term signifying the neighbourhood singing of Shabads or divine hymns, with the aim of bringing the message of God to the doorstep of the community.
In Middlesbrough the family fun day starts with a procession from the Sikh Temple in Lorne Street to Centre Square at 10.30am.
During the procession there will be music and singing of the Sikh holy scriptures, with festivities in Centre Square then running from around noon to 3pm.
There will be speeches followed by a free lunch (langer) provided by the Sikh Community to all those who attend, with other attractions including face painting and martial arts displays.
Sikh Temple events manager Jasbir Singh said: “The Nagar Kirtan is all about sharing the Sikh religion and culture with the wider communities in a fun, friendly, family atmosphere.
“It’s great to see people from different faiths and backgrounds come together to share the celebrations and volunteer their services.
“On behalf of the Sikh Temple management committee and Sikh community, I would like to express our gratitude to Middlesbrough Council, Teesside University and everyone who has volunteered their services and taken part.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Dave Budd, who will attend this year’s event, said: “The Sikh community makes a very important contribution to the life of the town and the wider Tees area, and Nagar Kirtan is a great opportunity to celebrate that.
“The festival is for everyone, and is all about spreading the messages of love, happiness and peace, values which epitomise the vibrant multi-cultural nature of modern Middlesbrough.”
The Sikh Procession will travel from the Sikh Temple in Lorne Street, through Derwent Street, Union Street, Borough Road and Albert Road to Centre Square.
A rolling road closure will be in place, with affected roads re-opened to traffic as soon as the procession passes. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.