By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 13: Winter Tales 2025 concluded on Saturday, drawing the curtain on a three-day showcase that brought together artisans, entrepreneurs and emerging brands, while spotlighting creativity rooted in craftsmanship, innovation and community engagement.
The annual event saw strong visitor participation, with displays of handcrafted works spanning pottery, cane and bamboo, textiles and wood, presented by master trainers from across the region. The venue also catered to younger audiences, as children were entertained by a Green Santa Claus and his elves, with both children and adults taking part in stage interactions and receiving complimentary candies.
A major highlight of the concluding day was a fashion presentation by noted Meghalaya designer Daniel Syiem.
Under the segment titled ‘Threads in Motion’, models wearing his latest designs walked along the pathways of Ward’s Lake, moving to the rhythm of the traditional duhalia before making their way to the stage. The presentation blended traditional elements with contemporary fashion in an open-air setting.
Addressing the audience, Syiem said, “This is a very special collection that I designed for the Meghalayan Age Limited. I’ve used the patterns from our beautiful state to put the collections together. You will also notice the intricate use of Ksai Ryndia. This is a brief look of what we have been doing for the last one year.”
The event also featured the presentation of the Go Green Awards. REPSDO was recognised under the Community-Led Initiatives category, Mei Ramew Café by Dial Muktieh received the award in the Food category, and Speak Your Roots was awarded under the Writing category.
The final day included a series of themed sessions, beginning with ‘Storytelling on Identity’ by Khasi scholar and folklorist Dr Auswyn Winter Japang, who spoke on narratives linked to clans in the Khasi and Jaintia regions. This was followed by ‘Culinary – Zero Waste Cooking and Food Systems’ by Chef Ahmedaki Laloo, founder of A’orgins, who demonstrated zero-waste cooking practices by converting commonly discarded food into nutritious dishes. Another interactive session, ‘Storytelling – Winter Tales Magic: Crafting Your Best Tales This Winter’, was conducted by storyteller, educator and trained counsellor Jemimah Marak.
The evenings came alive with musical performances by Sieng Riti Wahkhen, Maya Lyngdoh, Grassroots, Blue Temptation and Khasi Bloodz, adding to the festive atmosphere around Ward’s Lake as Winter Tales 2025 came to a close.
