Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. hosted 2025 annual Phagwah (Holi) Celebration Tuesday evening at the borough office. Similar celebrations were held all over NY last week and others are planned for the rest of this month.
The Borough event was open to the public free of charge. It was a program of free cultural entertainment (dancers, singing, music), short speeches, ethnic foods, and award ceremony opened to the public. The participants were of Indo Caribbean, Asian Indian, and Nepali background. There was a full house of spectators including several Caribbean community leaders.
Holi is a joyful festival of vibrant colors that marks the advent of Spring that symbolizes renewal and unity. It also has spiritual significance marking the triumph of good over evil and also celebrated with fun, joyful activities that include dousing water, talc powder, abeer, and colorful gulal on each other.
Holi is a celebration of renewal of life with family, friends, and community. It is a festival of love. It brings people together regardless of background and status in society. There is no distinction among people on any account. It is a time to invite not Hindus to celebrate the advent of Spring.
Holi has gained prominence in NY and areas where large numbers of Indians are settled. For the last couple decades, various politicians hosted celebrations of Holi, Diwali and other Hindu as well as Eid festivals. These celebrations helped Americans and non Hindus and non Muslims to understand Indian culture (from India and the diaspora).
Queens has the largest Indo-Caribbean and Indian communities in America. They contribute so much to cultural and social fabric as well as in taxes wherever they live. Queens is the home of the annual Phagwah Parade as well as the annual Diwali motorcade and mela. This year, the parade is on March 23. The Bronx, Jersey City, and Schenectady also host Phagwah parades or melas.
Every Queens Boro President and NYC Mayors going back a few decades hosted Phagwah celebrations. As a speaker explained, the festival celebrates love and new beginnings of life.
President Donovan Richards thanked all of the participants and awardees for a memorable event. It was indeed a celebration to remember.
