SHILLONG: The 18 Degrees Festival began here on a positive note on Monday with an objective to harness young talents in the state.
18 Degrees is a multifaceted festival of art, culture and music, among others, organised under the aegis of the Arts and Culture Department from October 16 to 21 with the theme ‘Converge, Create, Experience and Coalesce’.
The festival started in 2014 and is already a hit among the youths as it is a blend of entertainment and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Meghalaya.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Minister in charge Arts and Culture, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said that the event is the brain child of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
The six-day festival will feature various activities like Arts and Cultural programmes, Short Film Contest and Workshop, Cosplay, Photography workshop and exhibition, Literature Fest and Writing workshop with author Mukul Deva, Guitar Fest and Live Music, B-Boying and Popping Battle (Solo), Beatbox Battle, BMX and Skateboarding Show, Freestyle Motorcycling Show among others.
According to Lyngdoh, it is art which brings national integration and he was really impressed to see the youths singing Indian classical songs during a performance by the students of Centre of Excellence in Indian and Western Music at the inaugural function.
Author, Mukul Deva while speaking on the occasion said that the youths always brings fresh ideas and event such as these brings all fine arts together.
