KOLKATA: With an aim to promote Golden Beach Festival to be held at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district from 8 January, the Odisha government has decided to go for large scale advertisement of Golden Beach Festival in the city of Kolkata. The move is aimed to woo the tourists from Kolkata.
An official of tourism department said that the Odisha government has agreed to publicise the festival in the neighbouring West Bengal. “As part of the intensive campaign, hoardings and posters would be put up in Kolkata. Besides, advertisements would be released in newspapers,” he said.
When asked how much the government would earmark for the marketing of the Beach Festival, the official could not furnish the amount but said the government would spend sizable amount as it is looking for more visitors from West Bengal.
Artistes from Rajasthan will perform Chakri dance, while troupes from Assam will present the traditional Bihu dance. Renowned artistes from Kerala are also expected to perform. Kuchipudi dance of Andhra Pradesh will be another attraction for the visitors, the organisers said.
It is further learnt that all the programmes will be sponsored by Songs and Drama Division of Government of India and Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata. As the festival is aimed at providing a platform to the local talents, Odissi, Gotipua and Sambalpuri dances of the State besides modern dance forms will be staged.
This annual cultural extravaganza of the district is scheduled to be inaugurated by Odisha tourism minister Ashok Panda while Union tribal affairs minister Jual Oram is expected to attend the valedictory function.
Beach sports like parasailing and zorbing, which are more popular in foreign countries, will be the other major attractions this year. The sports competitions will be organised from 10 am to 5 pm during the festival days, it is further learnt. The government would highlight these attractions in its campaigns to attract more visitors.
Other attractions include exhibition of art, craft and culture, competitions in sand art, food stalls and display of missile models by the defense establishments. More than 100 stalls displaying handicraft products of different areas will be set up.
