Prez to inaugurate mega cultural festival in Belgium tomorrow

A four-month long cultural extravaganza showcasing India's diverse culture and heritage will be jointly inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee and King of Belgium Philippe here tomorrow.
Mukherjee, who is on a four-day visit here, will be received by King Phillippe at the venue from where both the leaders will light the traditional lamp marking the opening of 'Europalia India'.
Mukherjee, the first Indian Head of the State to visit Belgium, arrived here yesterday in the first leg of his six-day state visit to Belgium and Turkey.
In a rare gesture, King Philippe came to the airport here to receive Mukherjee.

The cultural extravaganza would present to European audience vibrant heritage of India through 450 events like performing arts, discussions, exhibitions and cultural events planned at 100 venues in Belgium and neighbouring countries.
The event which starts from October 4 will continue till January 26, 2014, and it will present to Europe different aspects of Indian artistic diversity with the focus on seven themes -- The Body, Indomania, India tomorrow, Living Traditions, Water, Bollywood and Beyond and The Diaspora.

During the event, India's sculptures, dances, literature, history, folk art and music would be showcased in the form of discussions, performances and exhibitions.

The event is being organised by Europalia International in partnership with the External Affairs Ministry, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and its partners.
In the past Europalia had showcased BRICS members Brazil, China, Russia besides other countries like Italy, Poland among others through such mega events.
A high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and representatives of educational and academic institutions, is accompanying the President.
Head of ICCR Karan Singh and former Foreign Secretary Lalit Mansingh will also be present on the occasion.
UGC Chairman Ved Prakash, Vice-Chancellor of Delhi University Dinesh Singh, Jawaharlal Nehru University Vice-Chancellor Sudhir Kumar Sopory and Hyderabad University Vice-Chancellor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy are part of the delegation visiting the two countries.

Minister for Shipping G K Vasan and a group of MPs including Priya Dutt, Deepender Singh Hooda, Zafar Ali Naqvi, Baishnab Charan Parida and Prabhakar Kore are also travelling with the President.