Describe an annual event which you enjoy and explain why it is important to you.

The Festival of Lights is a Hindu Festival celebrated every year in my country which I enjoy. Every year, people would come together and you would always see smiles on people's faces and hear laughter. This festival is important to me in many ways since it is my family's culture and I get to enjoy family time.

The Festival of Lights, also known as Diwali, is a five-day festival of lights. Diwali coincides with the Hindu New Year, to celebrate new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil. There would be beautiful and large firework displays, light traditional 'diyas' (candles) and colorful floor artworks which are created by a few materials. Between families and friends, there would be exchanges of food and sweets to people in need as it is a profound belief. Homes are cleaned days before the event and clothes are bought.

Personally, I look forward to the festival because of the feelings I get when I go through the day. At the start, the process of finding new clothes may be tiring as there would be a crowd at the shop. Picking out the right design and color always makes me excited for the dinner party at night. When I finally wear the clothes, the clothes definitely uplifts my mood and makes you feel a sense of pride.

Before any other activities start, my family would gather around a table, filled with scrumptious food, to eat. The whole ambiance is always exhilarating. From the exotic spices and incense in the air to the bright glittery lights, I love everything. We would all talk as we ate and catch up on what we missed. Afterwards, my cousin and I would prepare different colored powders from minerals or crystals and colored rice for the floor artwork. The floor artwork, 'Rangoli', was always an activity that everyone anticipated. The reason being we could do any design and let our creativity flow. The experience is very fulfilling as the vivid colors could make you smile without knowing and the attractive blossoming flower-like artwork always captures the attention of everyone. One of the best parts of the event is the fireworks. Knowing the symbolic meaning of 'starting the new year with a bang', my hearts fills with passion and admiration.

Without a doubt, Diwali is important to me. I feel that is a duty for me to understand and appreciate my Hindu tradition. This way, through the festival, my fire towards Hinduism ignites as I appreciate it more and learn my culture with more depth. Sharing the pride I feel and excitement to the younger and future generations, I hope they too get inspired, the same way Hinduism did to me. Another reason is because I barely have any spare time, aside from studying, to meet my relatives and distant relatives. I also have little to no time to eat dinner and converse with my family at home so having this festival is especially important to me.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is truly a marvelous and spectacular festival that I thoroughly enjoy!