The main tradition is to sprinkle each other with colourful, bright and easily washed off Holi paints. ColorFest rightfully takes one of the first places among all festivals in 2021. August 7, Shevchenko Park!

At Shevchenko Park from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., the representatives of art cultures, Odessans, guests of the city will gather in order to join the ancient Indian tradition, and paint each other with all the colours of the rainbow!

From red to green to indigo, each colour provides festival-goers with a sense of beauty, ritual and tradition. Although it is a Hindu festival, it is popular among non-Hindus. Also known as 'the festival of colours' and the 'festival of love', it is celebrated over the course of a night and a day. The festival's name and origins lie in the legend of Holika and Prahlad.

Holiday of colours "Holi" will become a great place for children's, family and friendly rest. The program will include competitions, live DJs, flash mobs, quests, foam party, food courts and also thematic show programmes. 

Please be noted that the tickets are snapped up quickly

The Legend of Holika and Prahlad

There was once a demon king by the name of Hiranyakashyap, who won over the kingdom of earth. He was so egoistic that he commanded everybody in his kingdom to worship only him. But to his great disappointment, his son, Prahlad became an ardent devotee of Lord Naarayana and refused to worship his father.

Hiranyakashyap tried several ways to kill his son Prahlad but Lord Vishnu saved him every time. Finally, he asked his sister, Holika to enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap. For, Hiranyakashyap knew that Holika had a boon, whereby, she could enter the fire unscathed.

Treacherously, Holika coaxed young Prahlad to sit in her lap and she herself took her seat in a blazing fire. The legend has it that Holika had to pay the price of her sinister desire by her life. Holika was not aware that the boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.

Prahlad, who kept chanting the name of Lord Naarayana all this while, came out unharmed, as the lord blessed him for his extreme devotion.

Thus, Holi derives its name from Holika. And, is celebrated as a festival of victory of good over evil.

Holi is also celebrated as the triumph of a devotee. As the legend depicts that anybody, howsoever strong, cannot harm a true devotee. And, those who dare torture a true devotee of god shall be reduced to ashes.

See You at the Festival!