NewZNew (Chandigarh) : Haryana Tourism will be celebrating the 29^th Surajkund International Crafts Mela from from February 1 to 15, 2015 at Surajkund, Faridabad. The Mela showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and the cultural heritage of India.

While giving information, Managing Director Haryana Tourism Corporation,  Mrs Sumita Misra said that Chhattisgarh has been chosen as the Theme State for the 29^thSurajkund International Crafts Mela-2015.

She said that the Mela would provide a rare opportunity to the Theme State to showcase its tribal heritage and culture, which is still found well-preserved in the forests of Bastar. The skilled craftspersons, talented artistes and master chefs from the state would participate in the Mela. Also, an ethnic ambience representing the state’s rural ethos would be created on the Mela grounds, she added.

Mrs Misra said that the Mela is jointly hosted by Haryana Tourism Corporation and Surajkund Mela Authority in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. This festival has come to occupy a place of pride and prominence, attracting more than a million domestic and foreign visitors during the Mela fortnight, she added.

The Mela has grown in stature and it attained an international status in 2013 and is now attracting more and more foreign participation.  Every year, a country is also chosen to be the Partner Nation that showcases the best of its art, culture, traditions and heritage during the Mela fortnight, she added.

Mrs Misra further disclosed that Lebanon would be the Partner Nation for the 29th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2015. The craftspersons, cultural troupes and master chefs from the Mediterranean nation would present their talent and skills to enthrall the visitors at the forthcoming Mela. About 20 countries have already been confirmed their participation in the Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2015, she added.

For the first time in 2009, Egypt became the Focus Nation and the idea of introducing a country as a Partner Nation was mooted. Thailand was introduced as the first Partner Nation during the 26^th Surajkund Crafts Mela-2012. Later, African Nations participated as Partner Nations in the 27^th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2013 and Sri Lanka was chosen as Partner Nation for 28^th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2014.

The Theme State and Partner Nation indeed lend a special appeal to the Mela complimenting the Indian culture and leads to the confluence of various nations.

The idea of hosting the Mela is to recreate a pristine rural ambience for foreign and domestic tourists, tell the patrons of arts and crafts of the skills involved in creative arts, to introduce craftspersons directly to the buyers, and to identify, nurture and preserve the languishing crafts of the country, added Mrs Misra.

Uniqueness of the Mela is that one of the Indian states gets the honour to occupy the position of the Theme State each year. The Theme State was conceptualized broadly with a view to promote and focus the art, craft and cuisine of each state of India every year, she added.