Bhubaneswar’s FEST 2023 Draws 6 Lakh Visitors for 15-Day Celebration

Bhubaneswar’s FEST 2023 Draws 6 Lakh Visitors for 15-Day Celebration

The second edition of the .FEST at the IDCO Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar, which ended on Sunday, attracted over 6 lakh visitors.

BDA Vice Chairman Balwant Singh stated the festival aimed to offer Bhubaneswar residents a unique experience, promoting inclusive cities with lively activities, accessible to all regardless of socio-economic and political background, creating a truly livable city for everyone. 

At the annual .FEST 2023, attendees from throughout the nation participated in a diverse array of cultural, musical, culinary, and storytelling events, such as Bhubaneswar Live, BhuFeSto, Trails, and Sebe-Au-Ebe. They were also treated to exciting experiences, including spectacular performances by prominent Bollywood and regional musicians, as well as international musicians.

This year’s festival attracted 2000 attendees to over 80 curated trails in three categories: Nature, Food, and Museum. “Sebe-Au-Ebe (Then & Now)” was a photo exhibit of 450 pictures showcasing Bhubaneswar’s transformation, curated by Ramakanta Samantaray and attended by 4-5 thousand people daily.

The International Food Festival offered 80-90 varieties of international cuisine from 16 World Cup participating countries. Six international stalls and 24 from various states were present, along with 4 government stalls featuring cuisine from Millet Mission, Mission Shakti, and Koraput Cafe. Curated by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Odisha, the festival generated approximately Rs 2 crore in transactions and saw daily attendance of 18-20 thousand people.

At this year’s .FEST, another major highlight was Bhubaneswar’s inaugural Night Flea Market, attended by 7,000 to 10,000 people daily. The market was curated by Sonal N More of OCAL & ALBA and featured over 270 stalls from local artisans, contemporary designers, and entrepreneurs. The market generated a business of approximately 1 crore rupees.

The Night Flea Market also featured three stages, one in each section, providing a venue for over 800 regional artists to showcase a variety of regional performances, including Sambalpuri Folk, Dhemsa Dance, Ghumura, Paika Akhada, Nabadurga Dance, Jodi Shankha, as well as contemporary and entertaining performances.

Overall, the .FEST 2023 was a successful celebration of Bhubaneswar’s cultural heritage and a platform for promoting inclusivity and a liveable city for all.