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Staff Correspondent
Shillong: The 4th India International Cherry Blossom Festival 2019 will celebrate the unique autumn flowering of Himalayan cherry blossoms with several cultural events in Shillong from November 13-16. Visitors can enjoy fashion shows, rock concerts, a beauty pageant and even compete in an amateur golf tournament during the festival. This is the first time that India and South Korea are partnering to celebrate the 4-day festival at the Polo grounds here.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will inaugurate the festival in presence of the South Korea Ambassador to India Shin Bong-Kil.
There will be several Korean events (K-events) organized in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Centre India, including a K-Pop concert, Korean Taekwondo demonstration, as well as Korean cuisine and arts stalls exhibiting opportunities on education in South Korea.
A key event of the festival will be the summit between the Republic of Korea and the Meghalaya government on issues of environmental reclamation and waste to wealth, with several MoUs expected to be inked during the summit.
South Korea-headquartered multinational LG Electronics has also stepped in as a major sponsor for the festival. Alongside, there will also be stalls showcasing the best of the region’s food, wine and crafts.
The Manipur-based Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), which helps organize the festival, said the event generates huge employment and revenue in cities across the world.
“The general plan is to showcase the best Meghalaya has. The festival also acts as a platform for bringing in high-level delegations to work out investment opportunities, intellectual and cultural exchanges,” ISBD scientist Albert Chiang said. “In general, the Cherry Blossom Festival acts as a catalyst for brining socio-economic partnerships for the development of the State,” he said.