Punjabi
students, dancers, artists from India also joined in these multicultural festivals.
PCPC’s director
and ISCA member, Mr. Davinder Singh Chhina delivered the message of ISCA for
“sports for all” and “education, peace and development through sports and
cultural festivities”. “Punjab International Festivals are being organised
in Punjab every year to spread the message of love, peace, joy, goodwill for
all human beings.”, said Mr. Chhina.
In Punjab
International Festival at Ludhiana the international delegates interacted
with Punjab minister for culture and tourism, Mr. Hira Singh Gabria, who
also honoured these International Artists. He emphasized the need of
strengthening intercultural relations and accelerating international
exchange programs.
Greek group
Psiloritis's leader Ms Zacharenia Boutzouka was all praise for ISCA and
Punjab hospitality. “We enjoyed participating in the international
festivals organised by ISCA member Davinder Singh Chhina”, said Ms Boutzouka.
“These fests are unique, memorable and provided us a chance to explore the
great folkloric traditions of Punjab state", remarked Ms Ekaterina (folk
artiste) and Mrs Ishakova Vera (director of Russian folk ensemble -
Pereplyas. These international artists also exchanged souvenirs with the
minister Mr Gabria, actor Mangal Dhillon and other dignitaries during Punjab
Int'l fest.
The international artists prayed for world peace at the Golden Temple,
Amritsar, Punjab. “We got pleasant feelings, after visiting this great
spiritual place of world harmony”, said Mr. Alexander from Russia.
The folk artists visited museum on rural life of Punjab at Punjab
Agricultural University, Ludhiana and were very much impressed with the
folkloric tradtions of punjab. “We are taking the great impression
about great Punjabis and our Punjab visit is unforgettable”, quipped Ms Anastesia,
the Greek artiste.
The foreign artists were all praise for Maharaja Ranjit Singh War Museum at Ludhiana and
enjoyed the sound and light program about brave Punjabis there.
They also showed keen interest in watching the “folk village life of Punjab”
depicted at Haveli in Jalandhar. The state of the art and great
architectural building of Khalsa College, Amritsar also left deep
impressions on these world performers. They also visited the rock garden
at Chandigarh made many nice photos as sweet memories of this beautiful
city.
These artists showed ample interest in learning Bhangra and other folk
dances of the state and thanked Mr. Rajpal Singh Raju, Channi, Babalu, Manu,
Vikram, Jaspreet Mohan, Swaran, Regan, the bhangra dancers, who taught
them the Punjab dances throughout the Punjab tour. They attended the
international folk dance workshop organised by PCPC at Lord Mahavir
Homeopathic College, Ludhiana.
The foreign artists were also thankful to Mr. Rajdeep Singh Gill, the DGP
cum director of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur, who
honoured them with mementos and books on Maharaja Ranjit Singh and also
organised world class entertainment shows of horses, daredevil -motorcycle
‘Jawans’ etc at Academy. They also liked the historical fort of Phillaur.
Greek and Russian troupes enthralled the Punjabis and students with
their colourful, vibrant performances during Amritsar International Folk
Festival. Greek, Russian and Punjabi artists danced together on the Bhangra
numbers showing great fusion of cultures. Khalsa College of
Education,Amritsar principal Dr Jaswinder Singh Dhiilon and Mr. Rajinder
Mohan Singh Chhina, the honorary secretary of college management, honoured
the male memebrs of Greek and Russian troupes with photos of The Golden
Temple and the female artists were honoured with colourful ‘phulkaris’.
At Hamdard International Folklore Festival, Kapurthala, Mr. Barjinder Singh
Hamdard and organiser Mr. Bikramjit S Bikki honoured the international
guests with traditional ‘pakhis’ of Punjab. These artists showed keen
interest in watching the ‘Punjaban Mutiyaar’ contest held there.
“Punjab
Cultural Promotion council had started this international trend of
organising world festivals in Punjab for the last five years by inviting
international artists and students from other nations to visit, explore and
perform in Punjab so as promote the state of Punjab and heritage of
Punjabis worldwide”, said the festival director Mr Davinder Singh Chhina,
who had till date invited folk ensembles and students from Denmark,
Slovakia, Czech Republic, Russia, Greece, Poland and Bulgairia to Punjab.
PCPC would also host international performers from Germany and Scotland
in Punjab this month (March 08). “Many folk ensembles are showing interest
to visit Punjab and we propose to organise world fests in Punjab again
in November 08”, he disclosed.
