Thailand to participate in Sargaalaya International Arts and Crafts Festival

KOZHIKODE: The new edition of Sargaalaya International Arts and Crafts Festival has ensured the participation of Thailand. The 19-day fest will begin on December 18 with the tourism department tapping it as an important marketing venue. “As many as ten artisans from Thailand will put up stalls in the fair. Besides, 180 stalls from across the country had already registered. This time, the focus is on the diversity of crafts and ensuring participation of award-winning artisans,” said the Crafts Village CEO P.P. Bhaskaran. Talks are going on to ensure the participation of artisans from Afghanistan.

At its sixth edition, the speciality is the exhibition of books on art and handicrafts and the screening of craft films. “We have succeeded in making the fair as the important one in South India. The next step is to take it to new heights in the model of acclaimed Surajkund International Crafts Fair,” added he. Last time, close to two lakh people visited the fair, clocking a revenue of more than Rs 2 crore.

“Traffic woes are a major cause of worry. To ensure ample parking space, we have approached the railway authorities to use their space adjacent to Iringal train station. Non-motorable road, especially on the Ayanikad-Vadakara stretch needs repair. Authorities have conveyed that a meeting to discuss the issues would be held soon,” said Sargaalaya general manager Rajesh T.K. Sargaalaya, the art and craft village at Iringal near Vadakara, is an initiative of tourism department to put state’s traditional arts and crafts on the tourism trail.