About the Story
Winter comes with many celebrations and festivals around the world. Historically, winter festivals often emerged around the solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. In ancient cultures, people celebrated this "rebirth" of the sun with feasts, rituals, and lights, hoping for good fortune and abundant harvests in the coming year. These gatherings offer social connection, honor seasonal changes, celebrate religious or cultural beliefs, and encourage hope as people anticipate the renewal of spring.
In this story, we are taking a look at some winter festivities around the world through objects in our collection.
Diwali - India's Festival of Lights
Diwali - India's Festival of Lights is an early winter festival. Millions across India mark this joyous occasion with festive gatherings, fireworks, feasts, and prayers. Although Diwali originated in the Indian subcontinent as a blend of ancient harvest festivals, it has evolved into a festival embraced by several diverse communities.
In our collection, we have miniature paintings from the Indian albums of European collector Antoine-Louis-Henri de Polier, that express this festive atmosphere through scenes of fireworks and oil lamps. Women in elegant festive attire, with henna covered hands and feet and precious jewelry, light sparklers while the night sky is filled with fireworks and oil lamps cast a warm glow.