Mumbai Festival 2024 to kick off this weekend

MUMBAI: The city of Mumbai is getting ready to host the ‘Mumbai Festival 2024’, a nine day cultural carnival with over 50 events planned across 50 venues. Popular events such as the Kala Ghoda Arts festival, the Mumbai marathon will be a part of the festival which will start on January 20. Along with the well-known events, the festival will also have others such as music fest, an expo, cinema and beach fests, movie competition, cricket clinic, start-up fest etc.
It will bring together an array of events, experiences, and renowned personalities, said the state government in a press statement released recently.“The Mumbai Festival 2024 will showcase the spirit of unity with the theme 'Everyone's Invited' and aims to bring communities together along with the best of Maharashtra's cultural richness. Attendees can expect a spectacular blend of music, cinema, beach festivities, food fiestas and more. A detailed event lineup has been appended for reference,” it added.
Earlier, state tourism minister Girish Mahajan had said that the Maharashtra government will spend Rs 25 crore for the festival. "Mumbai Festival 2024 celebrates Maharashtra's cultural legacy. The festival provides a glimpse into the magnificence that awaits, and we encourage everyone to join us on this journey. We poured our dedication, enthusiasm and passion into creating a never-seen masterpiece that signifies emotions and reawakens connections while honouring the very essence of Maharashtra. We believe that this event will alter tourists' perceptions about Mumbai and inspire them to discover the richness of our homeland," Mahajan added.
Maharashtra tourism secretary, Jayshree Bhoj said: "The Mumbai Festival encourages community's creative and cultural exchange. The collective endeavour embodies the spirit of cooperation and diversity, characterising Maharashtra's rich cultural legacy. My heartfelt appreciation to every participant, partner, and contributor for their unwavering help in making this event a huge success. As we unite to celebrate the diversity and magnificence of our state, let us welcome the celebrations with an open heart." Anand Mahindra, Chairperson of the Mumbai Festival Advisory Committee said: "The Mumbai Festival portrays Maharashtra's amazing and diverse cultural landscape. Every aspect you see, from the performances to the magnificent displays, reflects countless hours of sweat, passion, and commitment to present the incredible richness of Maharashtra. We are thrilled to host a festival that goes beyond limits, and I believe the details revealed today capture the diligence and efforts we've put in for an unforgettable celebration."
The festival events will be held at various locations across Mumbai. Among its highlights is “Mumbai Walks”, in which the city’s icons will pay tribute to the heroes of Mumbai, people who keep it running, such as the dabbawallas, the police force, the BEST bus drivers and conductors, civic conservancy employees etc. Another event is the `shop and win’ fest that will cover multiple retail and dining and entertainment outlets. Apart from this, there are other events such as `Happy Streets; Yoga By The Bay, Kidzathon’, movie screenings, and a photo exhibition covering Mumbai’s history through the lenses of photographers over the decades.