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share gifts, eat special foods, and decorate their homes. All in all, this is one of the most
spirited and beloved festivals of the Hindu calendar.
Meanwhile, this colorful festival is very popular for young people all around the world;
also in Germany, however, without the actual religious background. On these, so to say,
party-events, people come together to celebrate amity and togetherness. In 2013, Holi
Festival of Colors hosted nearly 300,000 participants at locations all over the world. In
contrast to India, where Holi is celebrated at the beginning of spring, the Holi-inspired
festivals are normally adapted to the local weather and holidays. Beside the parties, there also
exist other events, which grew out of Holi. For example The Color Run, a five-kilometer run,
in which the participants get pelted with the colors after every other kilometer.
Critics claim the Holi-themed events to be a profit-making commercialization of the
religious tradition of India. Probably, only the fewest visitors really know, that the event has
its origins in India and has a deeper meaning for the people there. In contrast, for people in
other countries, like in Germany, the festival only stands for partying with loud techno music,
drinking and throwing around with the colors additionally. Videos and posters promoting for
the events only show young people with beer in their hands and partying hard. This contrast is
disturbing and lacks the traditional range and depth of Holi just to have a new trend for the
glutted young people in the western countries. What a shame!
References:
Colors of India; About Holi
http://www.colorsofindia.com/holi/aboholi.htm
Gabriele Steinhauser (10/03/2013); The Wall Street Journal; A spring celebration of Love
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304795804579096813960372646
Hamburger Abendblatt, H. Jacobs (05/09/2014); Holi Festival das Geschft mit dem bunten Pulver
http://www.abendblatt.de/wirtschaft/article127797596/Holi-Festivals-das-Geschaeft-mit-dembunten-Pulver.html
Huff Post RELIGION (03/16/2014); Holi 2014: Festival of Colors Celebrates Spring
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/16/holi-2014_n_4965026.html
Indien Aktuell (03/14/2014); Holi Das Fest der Farben
http://www.indienaktuell.de/magazin/kultur/holi-das-fest-der-farben-648941
Visit Berlin (11/05/2013); Holi Festival of Colors
http://www.visitberlin.de/en/event/05-11-2013/holi-festival-of-colours