Valborg and Holi are two similar festivals originating in different parts of the world. Each of the festivals share an identical message says columnist Saahil Waslekar.
Walpurgis Night or Valborgsmässoafton, in Swedish, is celebrated in the honour of Saint Walpurga or Valborg. The festival traditionally originating in Germany indicates an end to evil by scaring away witches through lighting of a bonfire. A pagan celebration. Today, in modern times, while there are no more witches to be found, the burning of the bonfire on the last day of April signifies a warm welcome to spring. The festival is celebrated in all its pomp and glory bringing everyone together.
The celebration that I experienced bought the city of Lund and groups across Sweden to Stadsparken (City Park) in Lund. The day was filled with sitting in the park with friends, bumping into groups of friends, dancing to the music played by Radio AF and appreciating being in the presence of so many colourful people.
In the evening at 8 pm, when I visited Stadsparken a second time, it was all about tradition. The drummers beat their drums and marched along a path bearing the torch bearers by their side. It was time for the bonfire. The night ended by dancing with a big group of Afghani nationals who had their own sound system through which they played Afghani music.
Few thousand miles South East of Sweden in North of India, a traditional story of similar sorts surfaces. It is the celebration of Holi, the festival signifying the victory of good over evil. In ancient India, an evil king, Hiranyakashipu, asked his sister Holika to take his very own son, Prahlada, and sit with him in the bonfire. The king was most angry with Prahlada for worshiping Vishnu god. Hiranyakashipu hated Vishnu god. Holika was granted the gift of immortality. When Holika sat with Prahlada, who obeyed his father’s instructions sincerely, the flames burnt Holika. She has misused her power. Prahlada, who was unharmed, simply stepped out of the fire.
Today, Holika or a bonfire with dirt collected from the house is burnt in public places, just like Valborgsmässoafton, signifying that all evil is being burnt. At the same time, welcoming spring. The following day, all members of a residential society, for example, come out of their houses and celebrate the festival of colours with powdered colour and water. It is a festival celebrated with much enthusiasm, dance and youthfulness, across India.
The year of 2015 might be just another graduation year but it sure is the year when many international students experienced Valborgsmässoafton for the first time. After graduation students of Lund University will aim to accomplish greater heights and new experiences. For this reason, it is best if the column remains indefinitely open to everyone. The idea is to share how you perceive a new beginning for yourself in 2015.
