New appeal to save the Peterborough's annual Durga Puja festival
Peterborough’s annual Durga Puja festival is in danger of being cancelled this year because of a funding shortfall, it has been revealed.
Organisers of the annual Hindu festival, which is due to take place in the city next month, need to raise another £4,000 to ensure the celebration can go ahead.
The minimum cost of staging the festival, which has run for the last four years, is estimated to be £8,000 but so far just half that amount has been raised.
Now an appeal has been launched in a bid to encourage businesses and other organisations to help ensure the event can go ahead as planned on October 16.
The appeal has been spearheaded by Jonathan Jelley, who is chair of the Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service, and chair of the Paston, Gunthorpe and Welland Pride in Place board.
In a social media post, Mr Jelley stated: “Peterborough’s fifth annual Durga Puja celebration is currently at risk of being cancelled.
"This has grown into a wonderful community celebration, bringing together Peterborough’s Bengali, Indian and wider communities through culture, heritage, music, dance, food and celebration.
“This year, however, the organisers face a £4,000 funding shortfall.
"The minimum cost of putting the celebration on is around £8,000 and approximately £4,000 has already been raised through community collections.
"But despite every effort, the remaining funding has not been secured.
"So I am making a direct appeal to Peterborough businesses, organisations and individuals.
He said: “Sponsorship could contribute towards something very tangible — the venue, catering, décor or cultural programme — and help ensure that this free community celebration can go ahead on October 16.
Mr Jelley added: “Let’s see if Peterborough can come together and save the fifth anniversary celebration.”
The event is organised by Bengali Sanskriti Club Peterborough / The Culture Door CIC, and is led by Anammika Ghosh Dastidar.
Although Durga Puja has its roots in Hindu tradition, the celebration focuses on community, culture and bringing people together.
It is free and open to everyone, provides opportunities for local performers and artists, and has become an important part of Peterborough’s cultural calendar.