Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2023

Friday 7 July – Sunday 9 July

The Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2023 took place in venues across Thetford in Norfolk, during a whole weekend of cultural celebrations inspired by the life and legacy of the Duleep Singh family, the last Royal Family of the Punjab who lived in Elveden near Thetford.

There were talks, workshops and activities for all to enjoy, as well as the Thetford Mela on Sunday, with performances from Circus Raj and the Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band, bhangra dancing, Sikh martial arts, dhol drumming and more.

The Festival of Thetford & Punjab 2023 commemorated the 130^th Anniversary of the death of Maharajah Duleep Singh. Dr Satinder Sartaaj was our Honourable Festival Patron.

Programme

FRIDAY 7 JULY

Thomas Paine Annual Curry Night, Thomas Paine Hotel

SATURDAY 8 JULY

At Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life
Fighting the First and Second World Wars | Maharajah Duleep Singh displays and pop-up exhibition | Princess Catherine Family Trail | The Anglo-Sikh Virtual Museum | Maharajah Duleep Singh’s walking stick: brand new to the museum collection!

At Thetford Cemetery
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Person Behind the Grave – Family Friendly Tours

At Thetford Library
Festival Zine Making Workshop
Duleep Singh Book Displays and Family Craft Drop-in Activities
Stories from Lahore, told through the streets of London

At St Andrews and St Patricks Church, Elveden
TALK: Sovereign, Squire and Rebel: Maharjah Duleep Singh

SUNDAY 9 JULY

At Ancient House Museum of Thetford Life: Free admission all day
Duleep Singh Family Day | The Anglo-Sikh Virtual Museum | Princess Sophia Duleep Singh pop-up exhibition | Princess Catherine Duleep Singh pop-up exhibition | Princess Catherine Family Trail | Maharajah Duleep Singh’s walking stick: brand new to the museum collection!

TALK – Maharajah Duleep Singh and the Koh-i-noor Diamond

Festival Finale: Thetford Mela