Monrovia – The Embassy of India in Liberia has hosted a grand celebration of Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, bringing together approximately 150 guests, including diplomats, United Nations representatives, international organizations, Liberian officials and members of the Indian community.
The celebration, held on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Indian Ambassador’s Residence in Monrovia, showcased India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage while providing an opportunity to strengthen cultural exchange and longstanding friendship between India and Liberia.
According to a press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Monrovia, distinguished Liberian guests included Stevenson Tweh Seidi, Deputy Director General for Culture, Heritage and Creative Economy, and Kekura M. Kamara, Liberia’s Art and Culture Ambassador.
Welcoming guests, Indian Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Manoj Bihari Verma, extended Diwali greetings to the gathering and members of the Indian community in Liberia.
Ambassador Verma highlighted the significance of Diwali as a festival that transcends geographical boundaries, bringing people together through shared traditions, family values and the universal message of the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
He also explained the significance of the various days associated with the celebration, including Dhanteras, Chhoti Diwali and the main Diwali festivities, noting that the lighting of traditional earthen lamps, known as diyas, symbolizes hope, positivity and the enduring victory of light over darkness.
The Indian envoy further highlighted the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, where millions of earthen lamps illuminate the banks of the sacred River Saryu to commemorate the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile.
He described the celebrations as a spectacular expression of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage and noted that Diwali was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2005.
The evening featured cultural performances highlighting the diversity of Indian dance and music. These included a short Ramleela performance depicting episodes from the epic Ramayana, traditional Diya dances, Garba and a special musical fusion of Indian and Liberian music.
The performances were warmly received by guests and added to the festive atmosphere.
The Embassy said the gathering reflected the growing cultural and people-to-people connections between India and Liberia, as guests from different countries and backgrounds joined in celebrating one of India’s most widely observed festivals.
The celebration forms part of efforts to promote cultural understanding and deepen people-to-people relations between the two countries.
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