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Prime Minister Narendra Modi connected Monday (January 12, 2026) inaugurated the International Kite Festival 2026 astatine the Sabarmati Riverfront successful Ahmedabad, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz attending arsenic the main guest. The 2 leaders launched the festival by flying kites.
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Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi were contiguous astatine the event, on with members of the State Cabinet, MLAs, Municipal Corporation office-bearers, and elder State authorities officials.
Mr. Modi and Mr. Merz were welcomed with euphony and creation performances. Cultural presentations included Gujarati people creation Beda Raas, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Mallakhamb.
The 2 leaders visited an grounds reflecting the architectural practice of Ahmedabad’s pols and havelis (traditional houses and expansive residences). As portion of the practice walkway, a kite depository and a photograph partition person been acceptable up. The dignitaries were briefed connected kites from antithetic Indian States, made utilizing assorted materials and techniques. They besides observed demonstrations by artisans connected kite-making.
The festival connected Sabarmati Riverfront draws inspiration from kite-flying celebrations held crossed Gujarat annually up of Uttarayan, besides known arsenic Makar Sankranti, which falls connected Wednesday (January 14, 2026) this year. It celebrates the sun’s northward travel and the modulation towards summer. It is being organised by Gujarat Tourism.
A philharmonic ensemble by 108 artists from Gujarat and Rajasthan featured instruments specified arsenic sitar, sarangi, violin, mandolin, harmonium, flute, dholak, tabla, and mridang. The show included Vande Mataram, Vaishnav Jan, and German compositions.
This year, the festival has information from 135 planetary kite flyers representing 50 countries and 65 kite flyers from 13 Indian states. In addition, 871 kite flyers from 16 districts of Gujarat are participating.
The 50 countries see Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the U.K., the United States, Vietnam, Slovenia, Bahrain, Nepal, Turkey, and Jordan.
On January 13, astatine 7 p.m., a symphony show by 108 artists and a taste programme volition beryllium held. Folk vocalist Kinjal Dave volition execute and illuminated kites volition airy up the nighttime sky.
To present visitors to Gujarati cuisine and handicrafts, 25 handicraft stalls and 15 nutrient stalls person been acceptable up astatine the venue.
