Meghalaya is once again getting painted with beautiful shades of pink and purple on the landscape with the commencement of the annual Cherry Blossom Festival which was cancelled due to the pandemic last year. This year the festival is planned to take place between November 25 and 27.
On Thursday, the Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 was inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister, Cornad Sangma in the presence of Mr. Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador Embassy of Japan as the Chief Guest.
Inauguration of Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival 2021 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad K Sangma in the presence of His Excellency Mr. Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador Embassy of Japan as the Chief Guest.#ShillongCherryBlossomFestival2021 pic.twitter.com/Tce27pJPyQ
— Meghalaya Tourism (@meghtourism) November 25, 2021
Previously, Cornad Sangma taking to Twitter to announce, “Some beautiful #cherryblossoms around #Shillong in the past years. It’s almost Cherry Blossom season and the #Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is back! Join us from the 25th-27th November, 2021.”
Some beautiful #cherryblossoms around #Shillong in the past years. It’s almost Cherry Blossom season and the #Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival is back! Join us from the 25th-27th November, 2021.@PMOIndia @kishanreddybjp @JM_Scindia @tourismgoi @MDoNER_India https://t.co/WzSxYyf1W7
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) November 4, 2021
As per the website of Meghalaya tourism, the events that are going to take place include a literature festival with award-winning authors, publishers, literary agents, visual artists, storytellers enhancing the grace of the festival.
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Other events like art and writing engagement comprising of illustrations, short stories, essays, painting, and photography.
Besides, it provides an opportunity for the visitors to take part in many competitions such as singing, fashion show, cosplay, local winemaking, Japanese and Korean food preparation, Mr & Miss Shillong Cherry Blossom, Mrs Shillong Cherry Blossom, graffiti making, among others.
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Additionally, fashion shows plus national and local performances will be witnessed in this three-day-long event.
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This annual festival coincides with the actual blooming of the cherry blossom flowers. These flowers grow beneath the Himalayas and cover the east and west Khasi hills. Also known as the prunus cerasoides, they can be spotted all across the state apart from growing in the wild.