Koreans takes Dimchang fest to new level

From Our Correspondent

AMPATI, DEC 10: The musical crescendo at the ongoing

Dimchrang festival was taken to a new level with a special Korean choir performance yesterday evening.

The soulful gospel and carol set the ball rolling for the festive season, as Meghalaya embarks on to promote Garo hills as a Christmas and New Year destination.

The Gracias Choir group from South Korea part of International Youth Fellowship sang songs of thankfulness, which mesmerized and engaged the crowd. They also performed the Christmas Cantata.

It was different kind of atmosphere as the group sent out a strong message of cultural unity and relationship between India and Korea.

The group repeatedly reaffirmed their admiration and love for India and Ampati as they expressed their appreciation for the vibrant culture of Garo hills and its people, which were on display at the Dimchrang festival.

“Yeh dosti hum nahin chorenge” is what they sang to bond a relationship with Ampati and the people of Garo hills.

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma and a host of other dignitaries witnessed the special performance.

Addressing the gathering Mukul Sangma acknowledged the performance of the Korean group and thanked them for coming to one of India’s remotest corner to spread the message of Christmas.

“This kind of event gives us an opportunity for a brand building exercise. Our partnership with the choir group from Korea will further boost our image. It will also encourage and motivate our youths”, the chief minister said.

He stated that by organizing festivals, Meghalaya is making its pitch to market the state as destination for visitors throughout the year.

“Visitors from across the globe are looking for holiday destination during winter, Meghalaya and Garo hills, which gets into festive mood will surely attract visitors, so it becomes the responsibility of the government to host festivals”, he added.

He also felicitated the team from Korea and stated that Meghalaya was willing to host them again soon.

The team also performed at Tura Winter Youth Festival today. Gracious Choir has won several awards including Montreux Choral Festival 2014, Jeju International Choir Festival in 2009, Busan Choral Festival & Competition in 2010, Concorso Corale Internazionale Riva del Garda, 2014, Italy amongst others.