Diwali fireworks on Remembrance Day
Diwali is a major religious holiday celebrated by both Hindus and Sikhs
One of the biggest parties in Indian culture is falling on one of Canada's most solemn occasions this year.
Diwali — a major religious holiday celebrated by both Hindus and Sikhs — is happening on Remembrance Day this year. The festival changes every year based on the lunar calendar.
Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. Fireworks are a major part of the celebrations and festival organizers wanted to know whether fireworks were okay this year.
In Terrace, city council debated having fireworks go off on Remembrance Day. They decided to allow it as long as the community was aware of what the fireworks were for, and the legion approved it.
Diwali celebrants say there is enough of a buffer between the two events. Remembrance Day ceremonies are in the morning and Diwali is in the evening
"We do it at seven o'clock [p.m.], after six o'clock anyway. It doesn't interfere with Remembrance Day ceremonies. They finish by 11 o'clock [a.m.]," said Parminder Singh Parmar, president of the Skeena Valley Guru Nanak Brotherhood Society.
To hear the full audio piece click on Balancing Diwali celebrations on Remembrance Day on CBC's Daybreak North.
With files from Andrew Kurjata