On Saturday 10 February, the Egyptian Ministry of Culture responded to an official invitation to contribute in the 32nd round of the Surajkund Mela Festival in Haryana State in India.

External cultural affairs director at the Ministry of Culture Hesham Mourad said that the Egyptian participation in the Indian festival – which involves the participation of 24 different countries – is a result of the intercultural relationship between Egypt and India.

The Oriental Folklore Arts troupe affiliated with the Egyptian Palaces association performed in the opening of the festival, and the handcrafts displayed in the Egyptian suit were produced by the Crafts Centre of the Applied Arts Department at the Egyptian Ministry of Culture, giving an experience representing the rich folklore and artistic Egyptian heritage.

Many attendees representing the Egyptian diplomatic and cultural community in India attended the Egyptian show and the opening of the festival. Attendees on hand were the Egyptian diplomatic mission and the Egyptian ambassador, who also visited the Egyptian suit in the fair that was held alongside the festival.

The Egyptian presence was publicly acclaimed, capturing the attention of the Indian media and Indian Ministry of Culture officials who expressed their admiration for the Egyptian folklore and handcrafts displayed.

(Photo: courtesy of the Egypt's Ministry of Culture)