Jeddah to host second Saudi-India festival celebrating half-century of migration
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Jeddah will host the second edition of the Saudi-India Festival on Friday, January 16, with the program focusing on 50 years of Indian migration to the Gulf and long-standing cultural links between the two countries.
The event runs from 6pm to 11pm at the International Indian School auditorium in Al-Rehab and is organised by the Goodwill Global Initiative in coordination with the Consulate General of India.
Organisers said the festival carries the theme “A Half-Century Migration Corridor (.5 CM Corridor)” and documents five decades of Indian migration to the Gulf, described as one of the world’s largest migration corridors. The program will feature a series of cultural performances showcasing the Indo-Gulf connection.
Indian Consul General Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri will attend as chief guest, alongside other Indian consuls and representatives from the Saudi and Indian communities. He said the festival reflects the depth of India-Arab relations and cooperation between the two countries.
Traditional Saudi folk dances are performed by the Saudi Folk Academy, including Al-Khutwa, Al-Khubaiti, Al-Mismar, Al-Jizani and Al-Bahri.
Indian and Saudi artists share the stage in more than a dozen performances, including Saudi-Indian music and dance presentations, Punjabi and Gujarati folk dances, Kathak, Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Oppana, Fusion Oppana and Sufi dance. Indian singers will also perform during the program.
Organisers said entry to the festival is free to the public.