Delhi’s first South-Asian Festival, titled the SASSIAN Journey, commenced on Saturday evening.
Inaugurated by Minister of Tourism Mahesh Sharma, the four-day event at The Ashok hotel concludes on March 31.
The carnival is an endeavour to bring SAARC nations, namely India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan together to jointly address the issue of employment and enhance regional integration.
SASSIAN is hailed as the launch pad for sustainable and cross-cultural collaborations of South Asians across the globe.
One of the most interesting features of the fete is the Lotus Bazaar by the poolside. It will have 40 design shops. The Bazaar offers space for direct retail to a selected few artists, artisans and cultural enterprises from all nine South Asian countries, attempting to connect with the global market.
The Lotus Bazaar is also hosting South Asia’s first food festival, named Sanjha Chulha, curated by food critic Pushpesh Pant.
It is aimed at promoting the “incredible variety of local and regional cuisines of South Asia,” said a representative from the festival organising committee.
The event also includes a series of trans-disciplinary workshops, events, performances, symposia, exhibitions and fairs which will showcase artisans working on the spot.
Notably, the festival is a joint effort of the UNDP, World Bank, The Asian Heritage Foundation, The Smithsonian Institution Washington DC and SEWA .
“The aim of the event is to reverse de-skilling of artisans and revive the rich traditions of South Asia and to provide the traditional artisan with dignified options,” the representative added.
This initiative is spearheaded by The Asian Heritage Foundation founder and South Asian designer Rajeev Sethi, who is known for his innovation to preserve and celebrate the Subcontinent’s rich cultural heritage.
Open to all, the fest timings are 12 noon to 10 p.m.
