Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], January 11 (ANI): The Indo-Japan Friendship Association of Gujarat (IJFA) on Saturday inaugurated GOLDFEST 2026, marking 50 years of Indo-Japan friendship. The five-day cultural celebration is being held from January 10 to 14, 2026, as a part of IJFA’s Golden Jubilee commemorations.
As per the assertion, the competition was inaugurated with the opening of ‘Patang-O-Dori’, a grand Japanese kite exhibition, on the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA). The exhibition was inaugurated by Megumi Shimada, Consul for Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, within the presence of the Honorary Consul of Japan in Ahmedabad, Mukesh Patel, Japanese dignitaries and senior officers.
GOLDFEST 2026 additionally commemorates the primary anniversary of the Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad Sister City relationship and the Shizuoka Prefecture-Gujarat Sister State partnership. Delegations from Shizuoka and Hamamatsu are taking part within the competition, bringing Japanese kites, music and conventional matcha tradition to the centre stage.
The ‘Patang-O-Dori’ exhibition highlights the shared kite-flying heritage of Hamamatsu, Japan’s kite-flying capital, and Ahmedabad, recognized for its iconic Uttarayan celebrations. The exhibition options vibrant Japanese kites, conventional lanterns gifted by the City of Hamamatsu, and narratives tracing the evolution of kite-flying traditions in each cultures.
On the event, Megumi Shimada, Consul for Cultural Affairs, Japan, advised the media that she was current to have fun the 50 yr anniversary of the Indo-Japan Friendship Association and one yr anniversary of Ahmedabad and Hamamatsu metropolis
As per the assertion, the exhibition will likely be open to the general public on January 11 and 12, from 11 am to 7 pm.
With the theme ‘Kem Chhe – Konnichiwa’, GOLDFEST 2026 goals to strengthen cultural bonds by way of artwork, music and delicacies, reinforcing Gujarat’s long-standing fame because the ‘Mini-Japan of India.’
India and Japan share a ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership’, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted in an announcement.
It famous that the friendship between the 2 international locations has a protracted historical past rooted in non secular affinity and robust cultural and civilizational ties. (ANI)