Carrigaline Park (Bandstand) Cork

Basant is one of the most celebrated festivals in the Indian Sub-continent that relates to spring and yellow colour. Basant has religious connection with Hinduism at the arrival of spring, yet it is popular in all cultures. At that time the yellow colour prevails all over in the form of vast mustard and sunflower fields and the native mostly dressed in yellow fly kites during the harvest of these crop and have outdoor fun after passing a quite winter. In Ireland, it is proposed to celebrate during Bealtaine celebrations.

This year again the Basant Festival will be celebrated at Carrigaline Park in Cork County. More than 100 people are expected to join the event and fly kites. The are invited to dress yellow. The event has been organised by Amna Walayat in Collaboration with Goodday Cork. County Council has kindly supported the event with their funds. Additional cost will be covered by the Spice Garden, Asian grocery shop at South Douglas Road Cork. They have also sponsored the Basant Festival in 2022. Pakistan Overseas Community (POC) will volunteer in management along with the other community members on the day of the festival. Tomiwa Morris is volunteering as our media coordinator. The event is expected to be inaugurated by The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Danny Collins.

The kites will be supplied with thread. Bring your own picnic however, fresh food can be purchased on the sites from hot drinks, ice creams and Halal falafel wraps food trucks. Further it is intended to celebrate every year and gradually enlarging its scale to create South-Asian Week in Carrigaline in Future (i.e Indian dance, Music, South Asian art, food and film festival).

The event organizer is extending an invitation to all Radio, TV and freelance photojournalists to attend and cover the festival. This will be a fantastic opportunity to capture the colorful atmosphere and excitement of the event and share it with a wider audience.

Contact organiser Amna Walayat phone number: 0873396593 and email: amna.walayat@gmail.com

• T/C: Free to Join.
• Required a donation of €2 on the site on the purchase of a kite and 50meter thread.
• Pre-Booking required on Eventbrite.
• Preferably dress yellow.
• Disable access available.
• Public toilet on the site.

Children must not be left unattended as there is water pond on the site without fence and busy roads closer to the venue. Event will be cancelled in case of heavy rain please check updates with the organisers and Event Facebook page. Parking available on the site and across the road. Hot and fresh food is available on purchase from the food caters on the site. Otherwise bring your own picnic. Profiles: Amna Walayat has worked with Cork County Council as Creative Producer in Residence on the project titled South Asian Community Museum. Jonanna Dikkipati is a founder of Good Day Cork & co-founder of Think Speak Do Community Engagement.

POC. A global network of Pakistani Overseas community that aim is to dignify the lives of overseas Pakistanis residing in Pakistan and worldwide. Carrigaline in Cork County is a fast-growing town where South Asian population is growing rapidly. Many of South Asians has made Carrigaline their permanent home by taking the advantage of new residential schemes in this area. Funds: the event is supported by the Cork County Council and Spice Garden, Asian Grocery Shop on South Douglas Road, Cork.