Children fest of performing arts: 'One world of children' unite

LUDHIANA: Bringing students together from across the globe, the 12th edition of International Children's Festival of Performing Arts (ICFPC) was initiated at Ryan International School, Ludhiana, on Tuesday.
As a part of the Russian cultural exchange programme, around 18 students from Russia came to India under the theme "One World of Children" and participated in a month-long festival.As a part of the festival, students will visit all the branches of the Ryan International Group of Schools.
This two-day programme started with host families from the city welcoming and felicitating their guests in traditional Punjabi manner. The Russian troupe was lead by Ishkuzina Sretana reciprocated the warm gesture and in turn felicitated the Punjabi host families. For two continuous days of the cultural exchange programme, the local students hosted the International students and enjoyed learning the exchange culture and languages.
On Tuesday, the Russian troupe visited Ludhiana and the students from both the countries took the opportunity to come together and exchange ideas and learn each other's cultures. The international students will be in the city for two days and plan to visit both the school's branches in Dugri and Jamalpur.
The main attraction of the programme at Ryan International School, Jamalpur, was the presentation of performing arts by the students from Russia and a cultural extravaganza presented by students of Ryan. Students dressed in traditional Punjabi attires performed on Gidda and bhangra and enlightened the international visitors with cultures and folk dances of Punjab. While the Russian students performed international ballets, folk dances by students from Ludhiana, enthralled all.
Utkarsh Marvah, director of the cultural exchange festival, said, "The whole idea of the world village revolved around opening our doors to all countries to allow youth minds to open and relate to the others cultures."
During their stay, Russian Children attended various workshops which were focused on showcasing Punjabi culture. Lohri festival was also celebrated on the premises of the school with the lot of pomp and show, meanwhile bhangra and giddha performances added to the festivity and filled the air with laughter and joy.
Principal Parveena John said, "Programs like this offer new learning opportunities to our students. They act like a door way which facilitates our students to cross the boundaries and the make the world their oasis."
Students of Class X, Chitrish Arora said, "We wait for the cultural programme every year and learning different cultures has always been a great experience."
Excited to be a part of the exchange programme, Russian national Livshitsdira, 15, said, "It's been a great visit. The city is very fascinating and colourful, while people are warm and welcoming. I loved the food here - 'butter chicken' has turned out to be my favourite dish."