Current Affairs - Festivity

The 51st Khajuraho Dance Festival 2025 is being hosted by the Department of Culture, Madhya Pradesh, with support from Madhya Pradesh Tourism. This annual cultural event will take place from February 20 to 26, 2025, and celebrates classical dance and India’s rich cultural heritage. The festival, set against the backdrop of the Khajuraho Group of Temples, will feature dance performances, a food festival, handicraft exhibitions, and more. Madhya Pradesh continues to play a central role in preserving and promoting classical arts through this iconic festival.

The 2nd Simolu Festival was held in Assam, specifically at Bwisang-Na, an ethnic eco-resort located in Barunguri, Laokhowa. This festival, which began on February 15, 2025, celebrated the blooming of Bombax ceiba (Shimul) flowers while promoting eco-tourism, conservation, and local culture. It included various activities like cycling, camping, and cultural performances, with an emphasis on environmental conservation and the ecological importance of Laokhowa and Donduwa Beel. The festival was a way to raise awareness and engage local communities in preserving nature.

Assam is set to host the world's largest Jhumur dance festival on February 24, 2025, as a prelude to the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment Summit. The event aims to achieve a Guinness World Record with over 7,500 dancers performing Jhumur, a traditional folk dance. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the Prime Minister would be attending the festival, highlighting Assam’s rich cultural heritage. The festival serves as both a cultural celebration and an opportunity to attract global investors to Assam, showcasing the state's commitment to tradition and economic growth.

The 38th Surajkund International Crafts Fair was inaugurated in Faridabad by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. This annual event, known for promoting handicrafts and handlooms, features nearly 600 participants from 42 countries. The fair highlights India’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, with Madhya Pradesh and Odisha as the partner states for this edition. Running until February 23rd, it serves as a global platform for artisans to showcase their work and attract visitors from around the world.

The 10th Arunachal Film Festival was inaugurated at TNZ Cinema in Itanagar by Minister PD Sona. This three-day festival is part of the Arunachal Government’s ‘Year of Youth’ initiative for 2024-2025, aiming to celebrate and promote young talent in the film industry. A special short documentary on pioneering filmmaker Taro Chatung was screened during the event’s opening ceremony. The festival serves as a platform for local filmmakers to showcase their work and contributes to the growth of Arunachal Pradesh’s film culture.