National Dance Festival: Heralding in the Dawn of a cultural renaissance 
[December 27, 2002 - 9.30 GMT]

The first ever Annual Dance Festival of Sri Lanka, organized with the intention of heralding the dawn of a cultural renaissance of the nation, will be held at the Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo. 

The Festival consists of performances of both local and foreign dancers, a dancing pageant with over 2,000 performers, an exhibition of diverse artistic creations, educational illustrations and demonstrations and stalls offering rare diverse cultural and religious publications.

Minister of Cultural Affairs, Karunasena Kodithuwakku, described the festival as a means of Cultural Integration, “there is no dispute that dancing is one of Sri Lanka’s foremost cultural heritages, which can well manifest our distinct identity to the whole world”.

“The leading expectation, however is the facilitation and fostering of the profoundly needed integration of our communities into the New Society that we aspire to create,” said the Minister.

V. K. Nanayakkara, Secretary, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs expressed the wish that the National Dance Festival would create a new awakening in the field of dancing.

“It is very seldom that rural youth with great skills get an opportunity to exhibit their talent,” he said.

A special feature of the festival is that entrance is free of charge allowing a greater number of people access to enjoy it.

The National Dance Festival will be held daily December 27 (today), 28 and 29, 2002 from 2.30 pm to 10.30 pm.

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Last Updated Date: December 27, 2002  - 9.30 GMT.