Schoolchildren to learn more about Diwali through Newsmaker film

Newsmaker is helping schoolchildren in County Durham to learn more about how the religious celebration Diwali is marked in the North East as part of International Education Week.

As part of the project the company and its production partner 3 Point Media were commissioned to produce a film showing how the festival is marked in the North East.

“Celebrating Diwali” will be shown at more 40 schools alongside other videos telling a traditional Diwali story and how children can create their own puppet version of the tale.

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “It’s important for pupils to recognise the different cultures and faiths in their communities, which is why our International Office has decided to produce these informative films all about Diwali.

“Diwali is a special time of year for millions of people around the world. We hope that all of our schoolchildren will enjoy the programme of events as part of this year’s celebration and learn more about the festivities.”

Andrew Lambert, director of Newsmaker and the producer of “Celebrating Diwali”, said: “We feel extremely privileged to be able to film inside the Hindu Temple in Newcastle and be invited into families’ homes to learn more about the ways they celebrate. Everybody made us so welcome.  We are very proud of the results.”

Diwali is the Indian festival of lights, usually lasting five days and celebrated during the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November). This year it is celebrated between 12 and 16 November.

The programme complements Durham County Council’s International Office team’s work around intercultural learning – an important element of young people’s development.

International Education Week in the UK begins on Monday 16 November.

Diwali – a very local celebration

 https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/24591/Schoolchildren-learn-more-about-Diwali-through-new-films-