The second edition of the Sri Lanka Cultural Festival in Milan was successfully held on 13th and 14th 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, Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan said.

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 aesthetic aspects of different kinds, 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 attended and enjoyed a wide array of activities organized and Sri Lankan products that were made available at the venue.

The event highlighted back-to-back cultural performances from 10.00AM in the morning till 9.00PM on both days, providing two days of immersive experiences for the attendees. The spectacular cultural performances were by talented members of Sri Lankan expat community in Northern Italy.

The featured exhibit of the first edition of the Sri Lanka festival held in 2023 was ‘Traditional Manor House’ or ‘Walawwa’, whereas this year it featured traditional bridal attire and decorations of Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities depicting an aspect of culturally and religiously diverse tapestry of Sri Lankan society.

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 coconuts, rambutan and canistel, etc., ice cream made of Sri Lankan flavours such as wood apple, mangoes and also Sri Lankan fruit-based pickles (achcharu) etc.

Traditional Sri Lankan crafts were highlighted through booths displaying mask making and wood carvings, attracting significant interest. Other notable attractions included booths showcasing Sri Lankan precious and semi-precious stones and jewellery made of them, Sri Lankan batik and handloom products, various handicrafts and one dedicated to traditional ayurvedic medicine and wellness practices.

The children’s area offered several activities aimed at engaging young attendees, including features to raise awareness of 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 also showcased traditional Sri Lankan attire.

Additionally, an exhibition of Sri Lankan paintings and photographs drew considerable interest from Italian nationals and tourists alike. A special booth dedicated to promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination offered visitors the chance to participate 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 Elena Buscemi, President of the Milan City Council, the Mayor of Baranzate, Milan City Council officials, numerous diplomatic representatives and media personnel.