Following two mega events — 13th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and 7th edition of Vibrant Gujarat at the State capital Gandhinagar, cultural capital of Gujarat Vadodara is gearing up to host yet another international event Vadodara International Art and Culture Festival — VadFest-2015.
The four-day event of art, music, dance, drama, culture, food and special kids’ theatre starting from January 23 up to Republic Day is being projected as India’s one of the biggest international art and culture festivals.
VadFest is aimed at promoting Vadodara as tourism destination as well as to encourage investments in hotel, real-estate, education and IT sectors. The Gujarat Government has set up Vadodara International Art & Culture Festival Authority — a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) headed by Tourism Minister Saurabh Patel to promote Vadodara as the State’s cultural capital and encourage tourism.
The Gujarat Government is promoting Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar as business destination through its flagship biennial event Vibrant Gujarat since 2003 said Patel, adding that now the State Government has decided to promote Vadodara in a big way by projecting it as cultural capital.
“As many as 50 events are happening at 15 venues during the four fabulous days. Apart from foreign artists like Yanni (Greece) and Buddy Wells (South Africa), Indian artists AR Rehman, Asha Bhosle, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Kailash Kher, Hema Malini, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia and many others will perform,” said Amit Bhatnagar, member of the authority.
On the opening day Greek artist Yanni’s concert will be held at Baroda Palace premise said Bhatnagar, adding that special three dimension lighting has been arranged for the show where the palace would be on the background. As Yanni is performing after almost 17 years in India, CEOs of major companies have booked 16 chartered flight to Vadodara to see him live, he said and inform that apart from Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben and her council of Ministers, Member of Rajya Sabha Sachin Tendulkar, Union Minister Smriti Irani and many other VIPs are attending the event.
According to him, tickets have been sold out for all the 50 events and on-line tickets were purchased from 44 different countries. More than 2 lakh people are expected to attend various events. VadFest will also showcase royal and street cuisines, vintage car show and pop-up bazaars.