International students at Missouri Western State University will celebrate the Hindu holiday Diwali at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 in Blum Student Union, rooms 222 and 223. The celebration is free and open to the public.
Diwali, or Dipawali, is India’s biggest and most important holiday. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. Missouri Western’s celebration will include authentic Indian food, dance performances, fireworks and the release of floating candles on Missouri Western’s South Pond.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.