The Celtic Connection, one of the Scotland’s biggest roots music and arts festival supported by the government Scottish Arts Council, yesterday signed an agreement with the Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) to promote exchanges between roots musicians of Rajasthan and the Celtic regions of Britain.

Since the Delhi International Arts Festival made its debut in December 2007, this multi-art multi-venue annual gala, conceived and organised by the Prasiddha Foundation, has become one of the most accessible, innovative and exciting cultural gatherings in the capital. Over the years, it has taken the shape of an umbrella festival for several short duration events as well. This year’s line-up has artists from all corners of the globe.

NEW DELHI: Cultural ties between India and Russia have got a boost with the signing of a protocol between both the countries for a festival to be held Oct 24- Nov 4 in New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

One of the great excitements of Hay’s international festivals is getting to know major writers who are often barely known, if at all, in Britain. The oldest of these figures currently in Xalapa, Mexico, is Sergio Pitol, a 79-year old Mexican who hobbles round the town in a faded grey suit and tie, looking like an intellectual from another era.

At the opening ceremony, President of the Korea-Vietnam Friendship Association (KOVIFA) Choi Young-joo emphasized that the RoK and Vietnam share many historical and cultural similarities and have made joint efforts to develop prosperous nations and happy people in a peaceful, friendly and cooperative environment.

It was an unprecedented opportunity to talk about the role of culture internationally, what cultural organisations have in common and what sets them apart. It was a chance to ask questions, share experience and find solutions.

What is the point of Kiev's international biennial? When this latest addition ... was announced earlier this year, it felt like an extreme example of "soft power", with the Ukrainian government exploiting its more appealing assets, such as its cultural heritage, to improve its standing in the international community. After all, if you're going to reinvent a place, why not throw in a biennial for good measure?

2012 marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. To celebrate the occasion, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin hosted a reception on the opening night of the Hong Kong Film Festival in Berlin yesterday which pays tribute to the extraordinary story of this vibrant and energetic city through the eyes of its filmmakers.