One of the largest handicraft festivals in Asia, Surajkund Mela, will be held in the Indian state of Haryana on February 1-16. Over a million artisans and visitors from more than 60 countries attend it annually.

One of the largest handicraft festivals in Asia, Surajkund Mela, will be held in the Indian state of Haryana on February 1-16. Over a million artisans and visitors from more than 60 countries attend it annually.

For Uzbekistan, as a partner country, the festival provides an opportunity to demonstrate achievements in traditional handicrafts, national art, folklore and tourism. About 60 masters of applied art, delegations of Samarkand, Khorezm and Bukhara regions, musicians, performers, cultural representatives, cooks of traditional dishes and representatives of official circles are expected to attend the event. Uzbekistan pavilions and cultural events are organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Delhi, the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Tourism Development, the Hunarmand Association, regional khokimiyats and a number of partners.

Planned events dedicated to the cultural heritage of Uzbek people include Uzbek Culture Day, Uzbekistan National Cuisine Day, a demonstration of the collection “Fergana Fantasy” of the famous Indian designer and Cultural Tourism Ambassador of Uzbekistan to India Ritu Beri, performances by masters of art of Uzbekistan.

The Surajkund Mela festival is held annually by Haryana State Department of Tourism with the assistance of the Indian Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Textile and Foreign Affairs.