Celebrate the Festival of Lights Through Creativity – Share Your Diwali Story or Art!
Certificates will be awarded to all participants and their stories and artwork will be published on the Baobabooks platform. Winners will have their work featured on our blog and receive special prizes.
Whether you’re writing about the glow of diyas (oil lamps), painting vibrant rangoli designs, illustrating the joy of family gatherings, or exploring the deeper meaning behind the Festival of Lights, your creativity matters! Read on to learn more and start creating!
About the Challenge
The Baobabooks Diwali Creative Challenge welcomes young writers and artists aged 8-18 to share their unique perspectives on this beautiful festival. Whether you choose to write a story, poem, or create stunning visual art, you’ll have the opportunity to explore themes of light overcoming darkness, the warmth of togetherness, and the spirit of renewal that Diwali brings.
Every entry will be celebrated! All participants will receive a certificate and have their work published on the Baobabooks platform. Our winners will receive special prizes and be featured prominently on our blog, sharing their creativity with our global community.
This is more than a competition – it’s a celebration of diverse voices, creative expression, and the universal values that Diwali represents. We can’t wait to see how you’ll bring the Festival of Lights to life through your words and art!
Spark Your Creativity with these
Prompts
Explain Diwali and its Traditions
Diwali is the biggest and most important holiday in India, but not everyone knows about this holiday. Explain Diwali and how it is celebrated. What are some special traditions associated with this holiday?
The Role of Light in Life
Diwali is known as the festival of lights. What role does light play in your life? What would it be to live in a world without light?
Diwali in an Unusual Location
Tell the story or create artwork of a family celebrating Diwali in an unusual location (for example a space station, submarine, at the North Pole).
The Brightest Light Comes from Within
Write about or illustrate a person who discovers that the brightest light comes from within, not from fireworks or lamps.
Experiencing the First Festival of Lights
Write about someone who has never celebrated Diwali before experiencing their first Festival of Lights.
Diwali for Positive Community Change
Create a story or artwork about turning Diwali celebrations into a force for positive change in your community.
Discovering the True Meaning While Helping Others
Write a story about someone who discovers the true meaning of Diwali while helping others during the festival.
Eco-Friendly Diwali
Create a story or illustration about how communities adapt their Diwali celebrations to protect the environment and reduce pollution.
Diwali in the Year 2125
Imagine Diwali in the year 2125 – how have traditions changed, and what has remained the same? Express this through your writing.
Letter to Someone Feeling Alone
Write a letter for someone who might be feeling alone during the festival season, bringing light into their life.
Guidelines and Criteria
for the Challenge
Use one of the Diwali prompts to inspire your writing or artwork.
Any student 8–18 years old is welcome to join the Diwali Creative Challenge.
For writing entries: limit your writing to 500 words. You may choose to include images.
For art entries: Submit your artwork in digital format (JPEG, PNG, or PDF). You may include a brief description (up to 100 words) explaining your creative vision.
Each participant can submit a maximum of one entry (either writing or artwork).
The submission should be original and one that has not previously been published for a competition. Any work that is fully or partially copied from any other source, or generated by AI, will not be accepted.
The Timeline
- The challenge starts on 13 October 2025. All entries must be submitted before 12 a.m. (Central European Time) on 31 October 2025.
- The winners will be announced by 14 November 2025. Prizes will then be awarded for the winner of each category and winning entries will be featured on the Baobabooks’ community library platform shortly thereafter.
- All participants will receive a downloadable certificate of participation.
Calling all writers! Make a difference with your words. Participate in our Change the World Creative Writing Challenge. Start writing now and use your creativity to protect our planet.