- Celebrating 50 Years of Trust, Ties and Togetherness
- From Patang to Piano: Gujarat Turns into Mini-Japan for Five Days
- Edutainment at Its Best: Culture, Cuisine and Classrooms Converge
- Students, Parents, Creators—Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Miss GOLDFEST
- Strengthening Indo-Japan-Gujarat Bonds Through Art, Innovation and Youth
NE EDUTAINMENT BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, JAN 10
Ahmedabad unfurled a vibrant cultural canvas on Friday as the Indo-Japan Friendship Association of Gujarat (IJFA) inaugurated GOLDFEST 2026, a five-day edutainment extravaganza celebrating 50 momentous years of Indo-Japan friendship and Gujarat’s unique journey towards becoming the “Mini-Japan of India”.
Marking the Golden Jubilee of IJFA (1975–2025), the festival also commemorates the first anniversary of the Hamamatsu–Ahmedabad Sister City relationship and the Shizuoka Prefecture–Gujarat Sister State partnership, reinforcing people-to-people diplomacy through culture, education, music and cuisine.
The celebrations formally opened with the inauguration of “Patang-O-Dori”, India’s first-ever Japanese Kite Exhibition, at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA).
Kites as Cultural Bridges
The exhibition was inaugurated by Ms. Megumi Shimada, Consul for Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, in the presence of Mukesh Patel, Honorary Consul of Japan in Ahmedabad, along with Japanese dignitaries.
Speaking at the inauguration, Ms. Shimada said, “Across continents and memories, Hamamatsu and Ahmedabad have built a bond beyond mere geographical proximity. These cities, though separated by geography, language, and culture, are linked by shared dreams and aspirations.”
Echoing the sentiment, Mukesh Patel observed, “Built from traditional folk craft, kite shapes evoke the playfulness of generations. In Japan and India alike, kites represent more than just paper and string; they embody the spirit of the people, the bond between families, and the communal celebration of life.”
The exhibition beautifully traces the parallel kite traditions of Hamamatsu—Japan’s kite capital—and Ahmedabad’s iconic Uttarayan, showcasing colourful Japanese kites, lanterns and storytelling installations such as “The Sky Where Two Stories Begin.”
Exhibition Dates: January 11 & 12, 2026
Timings: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Venue: Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA)
‘Kem Chhe – Konnichiwa’: Culture Meets Curiosity
The festival theme “Kem Chhe – Konnichiwa” brings together three cultural pillars that blend celebration with learning:
- Patang-O-Dori – Japanese and Gujarati kite traditions flying together
- Sangeet Symphony (Nihon-no-Ongaku) – Music workshops, symposium and Indo-Japan concert
- O-Cha Utsav – Japanese Green Tea and Matcha culinary workshops
Music as a Tool for Young Minds
A key highlight for students and parents is the launch of “Discover the Joy of Music”, an educational initiative by IJFA Gujarat and Yamaha Corporation.
Sundip Shah, Honorary Secretary, IJFA Gujarat, said,
“Drawing inspiration from Hamamatsu, globally recognised as the ‘City of Music’ and home of Yamaha, this workshop aims to bridge cultural boundaries and foster a new generation of creative thinkers.”
Yuji Otake, Group Manager, Music Popularisation, Yamaha Corporation (Japan), noted,
“Music is a universal language that drives cognitive development and creative problem-solving.”
Risako Tokoro, Assistant Manager, Yamaha Corporation, added,
“By bringing the spirit of Hamamatsu to our students, we are providing them with the tools to explore their potential and find their unique voice.”
Led by renowned mentors Pinaki Dey and Dipanjan Chatterjee, the sessions offer hands-on exposure to rhythm, sound fundamentals and authentic Yamaha instruments for students aged 10–15 years.
Symposium: Music for Innovation & Creativity
The intellectual soul of GOLDFEST came alive at the Indo-Japan Symposium on ‘Music for Innovation & Creativity’, bringing together musicians, educators, bureaucrats and technologists from both nations.
Mukesh Patel said, “This symposium celebrates the power of music as a catalyst for creative thinking, cognitive enhancement, and cross-disciplinary expression.”
The panel included Ms. Megumi Shimada, Sunaina Tomar, Sudhir Khandekar, Shyamal-Saumil-Arti Munshi, Yuji Otake, and Risako Tokoro.
O-Cha Utsav: Brewing Health and Friendship
The culinary heart of GOLDFEST is O-Cha Utsav, a Japanese Green Tea and Matcha workshop hosted with Shizuoka Prefecture at Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad.
Mukesh Patel remarked, “This event commemorates 50 years of the vibrant bond between Gujarat and Japan, and the Gujarat–Shizuoka Sister State Partnership.”
Ms. Megumi Shimada added, “O-Cha Utsav bridges the culinary cultures of Shizuoka and Gujarat and promotes holistic health through green tea.”
Participants experience live demonstrations and tastings of authentic Sencha and Matcha sourced directly from Shizuoka.
Uttarayan Special: Patang-O-Dori Live Demonstration
On January 14, 2026, Uttarayan morning will witness a spectacular kite-flying demonstration by a 15-member Japanese delegation led by Hamamatsu Mayor Yusuke Nakano, featuring massive Tako kites, traditional bugles and dancers in Happi coats flying alongside Amdavadi patangs.
How Students & Parents Can Participate
✔ Participation is FREE
✔ Prior Registration Mandatory
📧 Email: indojapan.gujarat@gmail.com
For details:
📞 Sundip Shah – +91 98252 69099
📞 Nikhil Shah – +91 98259 06060
Why GOLDFEST 2026 Matters
GOLDFEST is not just a festival—it is edutainment with purpose, nurturing creativity, global exposure and cultural empathy among youth, while deepening Indo-Japan-Gujarat ties through shared traditions, innovation and friendship.
