SHILLONG: 15th November 2021 (PTI Source)
The Cherry Blossom Festival in Shillong is scheduled to resume this year and will run from November 25 to 27. "Some gorgeous cherry blossoms in Shillong in recent years. It's almost Cherry Blossom season, and the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival will be returning on November 25th-27th 2021. " - Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, via his Twitter account.
The event was first held in 2015 and saw massive participation.
Last year, the Cherry Blossom Festival was not held due to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) election. The participants of the events were of the opinion that if this festival did not happen during an election period, it would be a more successful event: "If it happens during elections, we can't do anything because of the poll code of conduct," said one participant last year.
"We had already selected our theme for this year. This is our second edition and we want to make sure relevant stakeholders get involved so that we can get beautiful results," says Soibam Bipul Singh, President, Shillong Chamber Arts & Tourism Society (SCATS).
"The Cherry Blossom Festival is an annual event and has been a part of the Tourism Calendar since its inception in 2015. The first edition took place as a Biennale with two components as Outdoor & Indoor events where the initiative celebrated the religious, cultural and ethnic diversity of North East India through art, music and dance besides spreading awareness on environmental conservation," says Soibam Bipul Singh.
He also adds that it was being held during winter to provide relief from the harsh summers for citizens: "Shillong experiences heavy rainfall during summer every year which hampers the growth of flowers normally used by florists due to excess humidity.".
Various activities are planned for this year's Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2021. They include:
The Shillong Chamber Arts & Tourism Society (SCATS), the organizer of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2021, is looking forward to a successful event this year as it is set to be held in November 25-27th. "We had already selected our theme for this year and we want people from all over Meghalaya and North East India to participate," said Soibam Bipul Singh, President of SCATS.
"The Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 not only provides an opportunity to domestic and international tourists but also reiterates the message of environmental conservation apart from promoting the tourism potential of the state," he added.