Nicosia: For years, Indian families living in Cyprus have marked Diwali at home and in community gatherings. This year, the festival of lights will be celebrated somewhere new. On Monday, November 9, the Presidential Palace in Nicosia will welcome Diwali for the first time, bringing together members of the Indian community and their Cypriot friends.
The event, called Cyprus Glows: Diwali 2026, is organised by the Help2Live Charity Foundation. The Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus has announced that President Nikos Christodoulides will speak to the guests. Attendance is by invitation only.
The Evening’s Programme
Billed as “A Night of Light, Culture & Friendship”, the evening begins with a ceremonial lighting of lamps. A cultural performance and a three-course gala dinner come next. Throughout, guests can enjoy diyas, rangoli, mehendi and live music.
Two Greek artists will take the stage: composer and producer George Theofanous, and singer-songwriter George Papadopoulos. Deepak Stephen of The SalsaTwins will perform alongside them.
Giving Back to Cyprus
Dipak Kumar, the founder of Help2Live, marked the occasion by pledging a total of €20,000, roughly Rs 21 lakh. The amount will be split evenly between two Cypriot organisations. The Alkionides Charity, which helps families and patients facing hardship, will receive €10,000 (about Rs 10.5 lakh). The Radiomarathon Foundation, which works with children who have special needs, will receive the same.
“Diwali is light that grows when it is shared,” Kumar said. “For fifteen years, Help2Live has tried to stand beside people across Cyprus. It is a privilege to bring the festival of lights to the Presidential Palace for the first time, and to give back to two causes close to our hearts.”
The foundation’s guiding belief is summed up in one sentence: “We may not always be able to change how long life is. But we can change how it feels.”
Ties That Reach Beyond Diplomacy
The celebration follows a series of milestones that have brought India and Cyprus closer. Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Cyprus in June 2025. In December 2025, UNESCO inscribed Diwali on its list of intangible cultural heritage. President Christodoulides then made a state visit to India in May 2026. Cyprus Glows suggests that the bond now extends beyond official meetings, reaching the homes, festivals and neighbourhoods where Indian and Cypriot communities share daily life.
About The Organisers
Help2Live has worked in Cyprus for fifteen years. Kumar established the foundation and finances its activities entirely on his own. In that time, it has:
● built a rooftop garden for cancer patients at the German Medical Institute in Limassol, which now bears his name
● supported the families of Cyprus Police officers who lost their lives in service
● delivered groceries and medicines during the pandemic
● assisted churches and monasteries
● mounted the first exhibition in Warsaw on the Customs of the Dodekameron, the Holy Twelve Days in Cyprus
In September 2026, Kumar was honoured with the Bharat–Cyprus Setu Award for Community Service.
The event’s community partner is Indians in Cyprus (indiansincyprus.com, Instagram @indiansincyprus), a website and Instagram page offering news, guides and event listings for Indians living on the island.