The second edition of the Sri Lanka Cultural Festival in Milan was successfully held on 13 and 14 July 2024 at Parco Sempione in the heart of Milan. The event was organized for the second consecutive year by the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and under the esteemed patronage of the Municipal Council of Milan.
The primary goals of this festival were to raise awareness among Italians and other foreign nationals about Sri Lanka, especially of its cultural heritage, unique aspects of different kinds of gastronomy and natural beauty; as well as to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries and promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. Thousands of people enjoyed a wide array of activities and Sri Lankan products that were made available at the venue.
The event featured back-to-back cultural performances from 10.00 A.M to 9.00 PM on both days, providing immersive experiences for the attendees. The spectacular cultural items were performed by talented members of Sri Lankan expat community in Northern Italy.
Depicting culturally and religiously diverse tapestry of Sri Lankan society, the festival showcased traditional bridal attire and decorations of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities.
Live cooking demonstrations and numerous food stalls allowed visitors to savour authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, including the renowned Ceylon tea, exotic tropical fruits such as king coconut, rambutan and canistel and ice cream made of Sri Lankan flavours such as wood apple, mangoes and also Sri Lankan fruit-based pickles.
Traditional Sri Lankan crafts such as mask making and wood carvings attracted significant interest of the attendees. Other notable attractions included booths showcasing Sri Lankan precious and semi-precious stones and jewellery, Sri Lankan batik and handloom products, various handicrafts and traditional ayurvedic medicine and wellness practices.
The children’s area offered several activities including activities to raise awareness on both official languages of the country and traditional sports and arts and crafts.
Visitors were also fascinated by the photo-booth area arrangements specially with the models of life-sized elephant family and 3D image of a Sri Lankan leopard. A successful fashion show featured batik and handloom garments, and traditional Sri Lankan attire.
Additionally, an exhibition of Sri Lankan paintings and photographs drew considerable interest from Italian nationals and tourists. A special booth dedicated to promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination provided the visitors with the opportunity of participating in a raffle, with the winners selected on stage at the end of the event. The raffle was supported by several participating travel agencies, that sponsored winning prizes.
The festival saw the participation of prominent guests including President of the Milan City Council Elena Buscemi, the Mayor of Baranzate, Milan City Council officials, numerous diplomatic representatives and media personnel.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Milan
24 July 2024
