Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi with a colourful parade through Birmingham

Apr 27 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

Traditionally, the Vaisakhi festival signifies the start of the Sikh new year and marks the birth of the Khalsa nation. It is held at this time when farmers in the Punjab usually harvest their crops.

Birmingham’s festival is one of the largest outdoor Vaisakhi celebrations in the world, and attracted an estimated 80,000 people from across the country, topping last year’s attendance by 10,000. Visitors said the event showed Birmingham at its best, a multicultural city which came together to support each other’s heritage.

Ajmir Singh, 38, from Sutton Coldfield, who attended with his young family, said: “It’s important to recognise the diversity of cultures in the city. These kind of events bring people together.

“It is also important for the children to recognise their identity but also integrate into society.”

Dr Payara Singh Bhogal, from the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras, said: “We want to show the rest of the country we’re proud to be Sikh and we’re proud to be British and Brummies.”

Coun Ray Hassall, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “From our St George’s celebrations to the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi, the event programme reflects the true diversity of the city.”