Culture Connects 2023: A Confluence of Traditions and Global Harmony

International Folk Dance Festival Illuminates the Living Spirit of Cultural Heritage

In an era marked by rapid globalization and cultural homogenization, Culture Connects 2023 stood as a luminous celebration of identity, diversity, and dialogue. Held in Noida, Uttar Pradesh from October 18–21, this edition of the International Folk Dance Festival, organized by the Charu Castle Foundation, offered more than artistic spectacle—it became a dynamic site for the preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage.

Organized in partnership with UNESCO New Delhi and supported by the Ministry of Culture (Government of India), U.P. Tourism, and CIOFF® India, the festival commemorated the 20th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). The four-day gathering brought together over a dozen performing groups from nine nations and multiple Indian states, transforming the event into a vibrant forum for intercultural engagement.

Dance as a Vessel of Identity

Throughout the festival, dance was positioned not merely as entertainment, but as a vessel of memory, belief, and community—reflections of the intangible values that define cultures across continents.

From the graceful symmetry of Polish folk traditions to the primal rhythms of tribal Indonesia, and from the haunting melodies of Romania to the disciplined drumming of Korean ritual arts, each performance spoke to the deep historical consciousness embedded in movement.

The participating countries—Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Indonesia, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, and Korea—offered a cross-section of global folk heritage. Their presentations, often accompanied by traditional live music and ritual objects, represented traditions shaped over centuries by environment, spirituality, and collective experience.

Notably, Babeș-Bolyai University of Romania presented a richly layered ensemble of music and dance, while Indonesia’s tribal group captivated with their use of native instruments and ceremonial dance motifs. These acts became not only showcases of national identity, but acts of cultural diplomacy—gestures of mutual respect in a shared creative space.

India's Living Traditions in Dialogue

Complementing the international delegations were powerful performances by Indian folk artists representing the country's vast ethnocultural spectrum. From Raas of Uttar Pradesh to Manipuri classical-folk hybrid, and from Gondhal and Lavani of Maharashtra to the vigorous Chhau of Bengal, these traditions unfolded as dynamic expressions of lived experience.

The inclusion of tribal dances from Chhattisgarh, Sambalpuri from Odisha, and Kumauni from Uttarakhand further underlined the diversity within Indian folk practice, often marginalized in mainstream representations of “Indian culture.” These performances challenged the audience to see folk not as static relics, but as evolving, adaptive forms deeply embedded in community life.

A Visual Archive of Heritage

The festival was accompanied by a photo exhibition of over 100 curated images, capturing the expressive range of folk dance across time and geography. This visual documentation served not only to augment the live experience, but also to anchor it in a larger discourse of heritage preservation. For cultural scholars and practitioners, the exhibition offered a meditative space to consider how intangible culture is archived, reinterpreted, and transmitted.

Cultural Diplomacy and Public Engagement

The presence of high-level dignitaries—Sh. Mahesh Sharma (Member of Parliament), Sh. Pankaj Singh (MLA), Sh. Mukesh Kumar Meshram (IAS, Principal Secretary, U.P. Tourism), along with ambassadors from Romania and Kyrgyzstan—highlighted the growing recognition of cultural festivals as tools of soft power and public diplomacy.

In a special message from Mr. Tim Curtis, Secretary of the ICH at UNESCO, the significance of such platforms was emphasized:

“These festivals foster mutual understanding and help communities safeguard their cultural identity while sharing it with the world.”

The festival's inclusive programming, which welcomed not only officials but also educators, students, artists, and cultural workers, positioned it as a civic space where culture was both celebrated and critically engaged.

Continuity Through Community

In his closing remarks, Pawan Kapoor, General Secretary of the Charu Castle Foundation and National Delegate of CIOFF® India, reflected on the broader implications of the festival:

“These gatherings are more than celebrations—they are intergenerational acts of preservation. Each performer becomes a bridge between the past and the future.”

His words resonated with a central theme of the event: that safeguarding intangible heritage requires both institutional support and grassroots engagement. In this sense, Culture Connects 2023 acted not only as a performance venue but as a pedagogical space—a laboratory for the living arts.

Conclusion: Dance as Dialogue

As the final rhythms faded and dancers took their bows, Culture Connects 2023 left behind more than memories—it left a renewed sense of responsibility and belonging. In weaving together folk traditions from across the globe, the festival affirmed that culture is not a fixed artifact but an active, shared process. Through movement, rhythm, and ritual, it reminded us that in every step of a dance lies a step toward understanding.