Egypt's Cultural Development Fund participates in India’s Surajkund International Crafts Festival
Reham El-Adawi, Saturday 16 Feb 2019


The Egyptian culture ministry’s Cultural Development Fund (CDF) is taking part in the activities of the 33rd Annual Surajkund International Crafts Festival in India from 1 to 17 February.

The head of the CDF, Fathy Abdel-Wahab, said that Al-Fustat Traditional Crafts Centre is holding an exhibition at the festival of traditional crafts, including copper, pottery, Khayamiyah, ceramics, and Arab fillings.

Abdel-Wahab added that the artists of Al-Fustat Centre are participating with live workshops on copper, wood veneer and Arabian fillings for the Indian audience at the festival.

The Surajkund Festival is considered a rich showcase of regional and international crafts and traditions in India.

The festival is attended by more than a million visitors, including thousands of foreign tourists. The festival, the largest crafts fair in the world, showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India.

It is organised by the Surajkund Festival Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. The state ofMaharashtrahas been chosen as the theme state for this year's festival.

At least 20 countries and all the states of India are participating in the festival.

A large number of renowned local and international folk artists and art groups give performances at two Chaupals, open-air theatres, in the festival premises.

The festival is a custodian of the heritage crafts involving the use of traditional skills that are fading away due to cheap machine made imitations, and a special section is dedicated to showcasing these folk crafts.

The multi-cuisine food court provides ethnic cuisines from all over the world, which are immensely popular with visitors. There are also designated places for amusement, adventure sports and joy rides, making it a must visit event for the young.

In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level, and in 2015, a record 20 countries participated, with Lebanon acting as the partner nation and Chhattisgarh as the theme state.

https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/325652.aspx