Joy Roy Choudhury – KOLKATA
To celebrate Christmas and New Year in a big way and to attract more tourists into the state during this part of the year, West Bengal Tourism like last couple of years will be organising ‘Kolkata Christmas Festival’ from December 18, 2014 to January 2, 2015 in the city. The programme will commence at Allen Park at the crossing of Park Street and Camac Street. This is the most happening location in the city where the razzmatazz of Christmas is felt the most and till late evening people throng Park Street to have a glimpse of the area decked up in the special way.
According to a senior official of the West Bengal Tourism Department the Kolkata Christmas Festival has grown in size and stature since it was started few years back. Today, it has become an important in this part of the country. This year the Kolkata Christmas festival will be organised on a much bigger scale. As part of the celebrations the entire Park Street area will be illuminated and stalls and pavilions will be set up along the entire stretch depicting the rich cultural heritage of the state. As vehicular traffic movement will be suspended in the entire stretch during this period in the evenings, revellers and party-goers would get an opportunity to move around freely in a carnival like situation and tinkle their taste buds with a variety of mouth-watering food at the festival, which will have a host of entertainment options like Christmas carols, choir and music. The chief minister of the state would be inaugurating the event.
The churches in the area too will be illuminated and thrown open to the general public. The St Paul’s Cathedral, nearby will be also illuminated and decorated for this occasion. Stalls and pavilions showcasing Bengal’s cultural history will be put up on the occasion. Handicraft and curio items will be on sale.
Cultural shows, musical events and performance by noted personalities will be the other highlights of the festival. The department has arranged for special tours around the city for the visiting tourists during this part of the year.