Sanjay Arora’s Post

Today, as the bright colours of Holi filled the air, I couldn't help but think about how I feel about the festival. I began to wonder if any of you have had a similar change in your opinions as you've gotten older🙄 I remember how happy I was when I was a kid celebrating Holi. I remember how excited I was to get up early with water guns, balloons and colours, ready to take on the world. The best parts of my year were the laughter, the chaos, and the struggle we went through in removing the colours we enjoyed putting on each other's faces. But today, as I watched the celebrations from my balcony, I realised that I no longer wanted to be a part of them. 🔫🎨 I couldn't help but wonder: Did any of you feel the same way? Did you find yourself hesitating to join in the revelry, or did you embrace the festival with the same enthusiasm as always? I want to know if this shift in opinion is something that others have also felt. I feel it's okay to change and grow, and to rethink how you feel about habits and customs. It's not necessary to always feel the same way about something just because we loved it in the past. We learn more about ourselves through life, and sometimes that means letting go of things that don't make us feel good anymore. I admire people who enjoyed Holi with all their hearts because they were able to keep that childlike joy and wonder. I would love to hear your ideas and stories. Have you played Holi today? Why not, if not? If you did, what made it unique for you? Let's talk about how our relationships with holidays and customs are changing and how we can stay connected to our roots while also accepting our own growth. ✨ Happy Holi, Let's celebrate the spirit in our own unique ways, and support each other through the beautiful journey of self-discovery.🌟 #Happyholi #embracinggrowth #Embracingchange #TraditionsMeetModernity  #PersonalGrowth

I belong to a family tradition where festivals are simply a time when we become more misanthropic than usual. We’re constantly debating how much waste is generated; the unnecessary price of indulgence - food, time, energy, money; noise; pollution etc, etc. And that’s no way to celebrate something. For me, the joy of celebrating festivals belongs only in a Barjatya Productions movie. Of course I want to be a circuit breaker for my son. Question is how. My current milieu doesn’t allow it. I found my answer at the brilliant Chinmaya Mission. Brought my toddler to Shishu Vihar (every Sunday morning). Here, sevikas and sadhavis joyfully conduct a variety of activities for kids. It was time for Holi celebration. I love what they did there. They gave each child one little flower each, which they ripped up and showered the petals on their neighbour. “Happy Holi!” No mess, no danger of colour getting into eyes or ears, no waste of water. Best part? No crying. Only shrieks of joy. Kids would gather the strewn petals and have a go at it again. Confetti. It was amazing. I wish adults would adopt the method. It’s more eco-sensitive and responsible. It’s incredibly beautiful and feels so much less intrusive. What a way to introduce tiny tots to the joy of Holi! If you’re a parent, you might want to check out Chinmaya Mission chapter in your city.

Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as Tết Trung Thu or the Children's Festival, is one of the most important and eagerly anticipated traditional festivals of the year in Vietnam, especially for children. This festival is usually held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month every year and carries deep meanings. Significance of the Mid-Autumn Festival 1. Reunion: This is an occasion for family members to gather, enjoy traditional foods, and admire the full moon together. 2. Children's Festival: Children are the main focus of this festival. They receive toys and candies and participate in fun activities such as lantern parades, lion dances, and traditional singing. 3. Symbol of unity and luck: The full moon symbolizes unity, warmth, and good fortune. Main Activities during the Mid-Autumn Festival 1. Lantern Parades: Children eagerly make and parade with colorful and uniquely shaped lanterns. 2. Lion and Dragon Dances: These performances bring a joyful and bustling atmosphere. 3. Enjoying Mooncakes: Mooncakes are indispensable during this festival, with various fillings such as mung bean, lotus seed, and meat. 4. Moon Gazing: Families sit together to gaze at the full moon and enjoy folktales about Uncle Cuoi and Sister Hang. Traditional Foods 1. Mooncakes: These are the signature cakes of the Mid-Autumn Festival, usually round and made from various ingredients. 2. Fruits: Fruits such as grapefruit, persimmon, and apples are arranged on trays to add to the festive appeal. 3. Candies and Nuts: Light snacks that children love. In summary, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam is a special occasion, carrying deep meanings about kinship, reunion, and good fortune. It is a time for everyone to enjoy happy and warm moments together with family and friends.

An investigative collab with CBS/CBS Chicago...we spent weeks looking at street festival permit data after finding an interesting trend...many festivals submit substantially lower crowd estimates than what's advertised online. A few examples: Taste of Randolph 2022’s permit had 9,000 people vs. 100,000 advertised Southport Art Fest 2024’s permit said 900 people vs. 30,000 advertised Windy City Hot Dog Fest’s 2024 permit said it would have 1,500 vs 40,000 advertised We dove into the data to figure out the story behind these discrepancies. What we found? Underestimating crowd numbers put attendees at risk as required safety plans are created using the estimation on the permit application. Read more below... https://lnkd.in/gjm2q8hF

I was just looking back at a picture of my desk - scattered with the blueprint of the Rotonda by La Mobiliare festival venue and my festival pass - and it hit me again: the magic of turning a sketch into a space where over 115,000 visitors gather, celebrate, and create memories. Festival planning isn’t just about stages, soundchecks, and artist lineups. It’s about flow. How do people move through the space? Where do they linger? What captures their attention? These questions keep you up at night - and then fuel your coffee-driven mornings. In the case of Rotonda, it wasn’t just about music. It was 18 days of international bands, kids' programs, club nights, 12 bars, and an expansive food area, all stitched together seamlessly into an experience that felt both grand and personal. Looking back, I’m reminded of three key lessons every event planner should keep in mind: 1️⃣ Every square meter matters: A few centimeters on paper can mean bottlenecks or smooth crowd flow in reality. 2️⃣ Flexibility is everything: Plans change, weather happens, and artists have preferences you never imagined. 3️⃣ The invisible is just as important as the visible: Behind every big stage is a generator, a catering tent, and a tired-but-smiling logistics team. I’d love to hear from others in the event industry: What’s your biggest "from blueprint to reality" moment? Wishing you all a festive season filled with joy, laughter, and well-deserved rest. Here’s to a new year full of creativity, collaboration, and unforgettable moments. #EventPlanning #FestivalDesign #BehindTheScenes #EventManagement #LocarnoFilmFestival

As the Chinese New Year period is coming to an end, let's explore what the upcoming Lantern Festival is all about in China! Learn where this fascinating holiday comes from and how it's celebrated in the article below. #holidays #chineseculture #cultureyard

Festival of Lights Amid Democratic Failures Savour your murukku and enjoy the day, for the lights dim very quickly for the Festival of Lights. The fact is, most Deepavali celebrants cannot afford a big or month-long celebration anyway. Businesses know this all too well. You only need to look at the traders and malls rushing to bring out their elaborate decorations - the moment Deepavali day comes to an end - for the year-end’s more lucrative festivals. Can’t blame them. How can this particular community in Malaysia bring in the ringgit, especially after yet another alarmingly unfavourable national budget? 2 billion for one association and about 130 million for an entire community? A community that did its democratic duty by garlanding and sycophantically voting this government into power – food for thought as the murukku settles in the gut. My murukku tells me it’s time to be the change instead of expecting others to make things happen. There are more Amazonian troubles brewing in the world, though. The Washington Post has just laid bare corporate America’s power to subjugate! Sad, coming from an institution once known for its ferocity, particularly in holding powerful institutions to account. With that reputation, I was excited to read that the newspaper had, for the first time in recent memory, chosen not to support either presidential candidate. I’d hoped it was in protest against the “democratic genocide” being carried out by the world’s loudest democracy. Turns out it wasn’t a Pulitzer act by the Post - just a business-over-ethics decision. We can certainly do with some light – Happy Deepavali!

...its a journey beyond time Festivals are more than just events—they are profound rituals that offer participants transformative experiences. They serve as rites of passage, providing spiritual and emotional integration moments that can reshape people's mentality, habits and worldviews. These festival experiences unfold in a liminal space: in a time "before the after and after the before." This is what makes festival management a very serious responsibility. Therefore, approach your work, organising a festival, as a sacred craft. Thoughtfully arrange and plan the routes, flows and festival time and pay special attention to creating "non-places" as Marc Auge's concept. And always remember, attendees entrust you with their most valuable resource in this life: Their time. That's why a festival experience is a journey beyond time. 

Festival #Celebrations and #PersonalWellbeing 🕉️✨ Festivals bring joy, togetherness, and a sense of renewal. The Ganesh Festival, in particular, holds valuable lessons that go #beyondcelebrations, touching aspects of our well-being. Here are a few key takeaways: 🛠️ #PreparationMatters Just as we thoughtfully prepare for Ganesh’s arrival, taking small, consistent steps in our daily lives helps us stay grounded and balanced. 🌸 #EmbraceImperfections Decorations may not be perfect, but the love and effort behind them make them special. Similarly, life isn't always smooth, and that’s perfectly okay. 🏞️ #LettingGo Visarjan reminds us to release what no longer serves us—whether it's thoughts, habits, or emotions. A fresh start always awaits. 🤝 The Power of #Togetherness Coming together during festivals strengthens bonds and brings joy. Likewise, staying connected with loved ones can uplift us in ways we may not always realize. 🌱 #NewBeginnings Every festival marks a new chapter. It’s a gentle reminder that we can renew our energy and perspective any time we choose. Let’s use this festive season as a moment to reflect, rejuvenate, and nurture our well-being. 🙏✨ #GrowthHub #FestivalsAndGrowth #GaneshFestival #ReflectionAndRenewal #PersonalWellbeing

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 In a newspaper article in Fredrikstad Blad on how Norwegian festivals are serving beer this year, head of research Kari-Anne Lyng discusses the environmental impact of beer glasses. The insights are based on a 2021 report commissioned by the Øya Music Festivals. Here are our tips to reduce impacts from beer glass consumption at festivals this summer: ♻️ 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘀: Whether drinks are served in reusable or single-use cups, the return rate greatly impacts the climate benefit. Therefore, it's crucial to communicate the sorting system clearly to festival participants. ♻️ 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: Return reusable glasses and sort single-use glasses properly. Do not throw glasses in residual waste or the environment, and do not take them home! Read more (in Norwegian)👇 #sustainability #festival #recycling #environmentalmeasures FB Fredrikstad Blad Øyafestivalen