International Folk Ensemble - Punjab Cultural Promotion Council hosted & organized 49 international performers mostly students, folk artists, folk musicians, folk dancers, choreographers and directors of folk ensembles from Poland, Bulgaria, Austria and Mongolia,  in various parts of Punjab to promote International Friendship, Multiculturalism, culture of peace and humanitarian works and to spread the message of joy, peace and goodwill among younger generations particularly students.

Such a large number of internationally acclaimed performers visited Punjab and India for the very first time to take part in the mega International events organised by PCPC.  They were invited to visit Punjab and India by Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina, Director of PCPC, who is also the International member of IOFA (International Organization of Folk Art, Austria), ISCA (International Sports & Cultural Association, Denmark) and International Dance Council - UNESCO, PARIS.  

PCPC had been engaged with the International works across borders to promote culture of peace and to contribute for the United Nations Project of Culture of Peace for the last couple of years and PCPC had started the trend of organising International events of such caliber first time in Punjab & India in which International performers from European Nations were invited to exhibit their folkloric traditions and to see for themselves the prosperity, hospitality and the great heritage of the state of Punjab, disclosed Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina, the Festival Director for three major international festivals viz. Amritsar International Folklore Festival, Amritsar; Chandigarh International Folklore Festival, Chandigarh and Punjab International Folklore Festival, Ludhiana.  

PCPC is already credited with organising international mega events in Punjab in the last few years, in which 18 Slovakian Artists were invited to Punjab in Dec. 2002 and 33 International Gymnasts & Folk Artists, Students from Denmark performed on the holy soil of Punjab in Feb.-Mar. early this year.

Mr. Chhina told the Tribune that PCPC is organizing these events to promote the heritage of the State Internationally.  PCPC has already participated in 34 folk festivals in Australia, South Korea and many parts of the Europe in the last few years.  Education, peace and development through Sports & cultural activities is the familiar agenda with the international audience and Punjabis should not lag behind in promoting such kind of agenda in Punjab & India, "said Chhina.

In the Amritsar International Folklore Festival organized by PCPC in collaboration with Khalsa College Management Committee at Khalsa College Public School, Amritsar, the International performers from Poland, Bulgaria were quite impressed with the Sikh Martial Arts - Gatka which they had seen for the very first time.  The Miri Piri Academy of Amritsar exhibited Gatka on this occasion.  

The Punjabi Folkloric Traditions were exhibited by Khalsa Public School Students and particularly the folk sining by young Folk Singer Mr. Jasminder Singh of the same school left deep impressions on the minds of the international guests.  The international folk artists from Bulgaria and students from Poland were escorted to the festival stage by the school students in traditional folk style under the traditional Phulkari and drum beats.  The Khalsa School students got international exposure for the very first time.  Mr. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, the Hon.. Secretary of the Management Committee told the Tribune that the students of the Khalsa institutions would represent the heritage of Punjab in International festivals being organized by PCPC and would also collaborate with PCPC to give due representation to the students in International events in many parts of the world.  The organisers at Khalsa College Public School honoured Mr. Gurminder Singh Parihar (Canada), the Ex-Student of Khalsa College, Amritsar, also Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina, the Festival Director, Dr. Stefan from Bulgaria, Mr. Jerzy from Poland, Mr. Sat Simran Singh, an American Sikh from Miri Piri Academy and International Bhangra starts Mr. Parminder Singh Nona and Mr. Rajpal Singh Raju, Ludhiana on this occasion.

The International performers performed on the hockey Astroturf for the hockey Olympians, hockey stars, hockey fans and Jalandhar Audience at Burlton Park, Jalandhar during the Gala Closing Ceremony of the Punjab International Folk Festival and during the opening ceremony of the Surjit Memorial National Hockey Championship.  They enthralled the audience with Polish Culture & Bulgarian Folk Traditions in colourful dresses and displaying traditional Folk instruments. They were honoured on this occasion by Director (Sports) Punjab, Mr. Pargat Singh, Olympian, Mr. Sukhwinder Singh Chohla, Journalist, Mr. L.R. Nayyar, Commissioner (Income Tax) and Mr. Surinder Singh Bhapa with souvenirs from Surjit Hockey Club.  It was a great combination of Culture & Sports during this Hockey Championship and Sports fans were crazy to have a glimpse of International Personalities visiting Jalandhar City & Wonder Land Park first time.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh Police Academy Phillaur in collaboration with PCPC organized an International Festival at Academy's stadium, which was a big hit.  The International folk artists were quite impressed with the traditional Fort of the Academy and traditional buildings and the International show.  Thousands of Jawans of PPA Phillaur had a real taste of International culture during this event which was organised under the Chairmanship of Mr. Rajdip Singh Gill, IPS, Director of the PPA, Phillaur.

The Polish girls in White costumes performed excellent Polish dances and Polish boys in military polish costumes were also big hit with the audience.  The Bulgarian show was also marvelous and fabulous studded with traditional costumes of Bulgaria, Folk dances from Villages of Sofia and great singing by Bulgarian Folk singer, Ms. Alexandera.  Mr. Mario, the choreographer of the Bulgarian Ensemble Strandja from Burgas region was all praise for the discipline and decorum of this International event.  Ms. Natalia, the Polish Dancer was very much impressed with the Fire Works displayed at the fag end of the function.  

Mr. Rajdip Singh Gill stressed the need to organise such international events and Sport Cultural exchange programmes to further enhance the International friendship as well as Sport Cultural Interactions.  He welcomed the International performers on their visit to Punjab and promised to promote cultural relations with Bulgaria, Poland, Austria, Mangolia and other world Nations.  He appreciated the role of PCPC led by Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina in internationalising the cultural traditions of the State in their International horizons and starting the trend of inviting international cultural performers to Punjab much to the entertainment, knowledge and exposure of the students of Punjab.

Mr. Gill also honoured the Deputy Mayor from Andorf City of Austria, Mr. Hans Joachim Johann, Ms. Munkh Nasan, the International Cultural Personality from Mangolia, Mr. Jerzy, Director of Polish Group, Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina, Organiser of Punjab International Folklore Festival and Dr. Stefan, Director of the Bulgarian Group on this occasion.  Amongst those present during this International event included Mr. Davinder Singh Garcha, Deputy Director of PPA, Phillaur and Olympian, Mr. S.S. Chauhan, DIG, Mr. G.S. Sandhu, Deputy Director, Mr. Sohan Singh Soneela, International Folk Singer and other officials of PPA Phillaur.  Mr. Gill interacted with the International performers over a cup of tea and traditional snacks from Punjab.  The Polish students were all praise for the samosas and the Bulgarians had great time with the Punjab Burfi.  The International performers liked the dress code of the PPA Jawans.  

These 49 international performers led by Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina visited the place of world harmony, the Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib), Amritsar.  They liked this religious place too much and were all praise for the spiritualism of this place.  Mr. Jerzy from Poland termed this place as one of the greatest places of the world from where the message of peace, goodwill and humanity emanates.  The international performers had a great time at this place, clicking pictures of the Golden Temple with their cameras.  They prayed for world peace, international friendship, humanity on this occasion.  International members of PCPC also joined them in praying for the good health for all human beings, prosperity to the poor, love, harmony and friendship between all cultures, all religions and all communities of the world.

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