Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1210197
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 FEBRUARY 2020 CULTURE THOMAS Abdilla from Ham- run represented Malta in the 31 International Kites Festival that took place at the State of Gujarat in India between 7-14 January. Abdilla participated with a number of kites that were all designed and made by him, some of which represent- ed Maltese themes. "I took two kites with a Maltese luzzu design," he said. "The State Minister for Gujarat took one of them to the air when I was in Rajkot. This was of great satisfaction to me and at that time I felt as if I were the Maltese am- bassador." There were about 150 par- ticipant from 50 countries taking part in the kite festival. Thomas Abdilla said that the festival was a success and he was impressed not only by the number of those tak- ing part but also at the keen interest taken by the Indian spectators wherever they flew their kites. The festival was held in sev- en different localities in Gu- jarat with the participants be- ing divided into three groups so a to reach the maximum number of the thousands of kites' enthusiasts that follow the annual event. During the festival Thomas Abdilla had a stand dedicat- ed to Malta in every locality they were in as had the oth- er participants of the other countries. Sometimes they had to travel six hours daily because some of the localities were very far from each oth- er, with the longest distance being 310km, a 9-hour drive. Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat, and Viay Rupani inaugurated the festival at the River Front in Ahmedabad in the presence of the Indi- an government represent- atives from various regions of the subcontinent. Rupani stressed the fact that these festivals promote tourism and show the culture of that part of India. The Maltese participation at the kites festival was well received by the organizers and this augers well for the future when Thomas Abdilla may take part in similar fes- tivals. Malta represented in India kites festival Two of the kites with a Malta association done by Thomas Abdilla