The much-awaited 10th edition of the North East Festival joins the year-end festivities of 2022. The vibrant festival showcases the Northeast's spirit and is set to begin on December 23 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. Eight states will pack in all their culture for display in the carnival. You can experience the various foods, crafts, and cultures from across the Northeast. Since its inception in 2013, the festival has contributed immensely towards boosting tourism in the Northeastern states.
The festival will be inaugurated by the Union Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, Shri G. Kishan Reddy. The inauguration is expected to be graced by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food, and Public Distribution, Shri Piyush Goel the Union Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and the Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri Kiren Rijiju. The Chief Ministers of the Northeast will be among the dignitaries.
Speaking about the 10th edition of the festival, the chief organizer, Shri Shyamkanu Mahanta, said, "After two years of lockdown, social distancing, and various COVID-19 protocols, we're extremely happy and excited to be back to our favourite place, i.e., Delhi. The North East Festival celebrates the beauty, diversity, and integrity of Northeast India, and its USP is how we seamlessly integrate elements of social cohesion, cultural heritage, and economic welfare. We've sensitised people to recognise and respect the opulent and diverse heritage of the Northeast. This has helped in reducing racism and xenophobia against Northeast Indians."
The festival will also be a launchpad for the booklet Know Your North East. It is planned to be distributed in schools and universities to educate and inspire people to explore and identify the Northeast's rich heritage.
A culture's cuisine is one of the best ways to be introduced to its newness. There will be 50 food stalls serving up piping hot food not only from Northeast India but also from across Delhi-NCR to encourage cross-cultural awareness and exchange. For those curious about Northeastern food, you should start with the sanpiau, a rice porridge garnished with either vegetables or meat, then go on to the jadoh, a meat and rice dish from the Khasi tribe of Meghalaya. Later in the day, you can try the iromba from the Meitei tribe of Manipur it is a dried and fermented fish dish with vegetables, and then finish with the masor tenga, the tangy fish curry from Assam.
An exciting line-up of dance dramas, music performances, mask presentations, fashion shows, open-mic sessions, etc., ensures that the spectators will be immersed in Northeastern cultures. What's more, the North East Rock Battle has bands participating from across India. Alongside the fabulous food, enjoy the musical extravaganza from different genres. The performing bands include Klanjan, Flying Cupid, and the poster boys Zubeen Garg and Achurja Barpatra from Assam, Innocent Eyes and Traffic Jam from Manipur, Bipul Chetri & The Travelling Band from Darjeeling, Sikkim, Trance Effect from Nagaland, Taba Chake from Arunachal Pradesh, and Jessie Lyndoh from Meghalaya. And, all the way from Kerala comes the band When Chai Met Toast. You can also dance the night away at performances by DJs from the Northeast. Or, attend the fashion shows, which will see 16 designers showcasing their work comprising Northeastern textiles and patterns.
Keep your shopping bags ready to haul home some choice products from the Northeast. The exhibition arena will have an MSME zone with more than 100 entrepreneurs, who will showcase agri-horti products, handloom, handicrafts, processed food products, etc. The festival is your chance to lay your hands on authentic Northeastern products.
The North East Festival holds true to its slogan, Connecting People Celebrating Life.
The Information
What North East Festival 2022
Where Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
Entry Gate 14
When 23rd to 26th December, 2022
