Avakai–Amaravati Cultural Festival Opens with Grand Celebrations in Vijayawada

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday evening launched the Avakai-Amaravati Cultural Festival , a flagship initiative aimed at showcasing the State’s rich cultural heritage, traditions and art forms. The three-day event is being held on the scenic banks of the Krishna River from January 8 to 10.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu formally inaugurated the festival by lighting the ceremonial lamp at Punnami Ghat in Vijayawada . The opening ceremony featured a traditional harathi to the river Krishna, followed by colourful cultural performances that captivated visitors and tourists.

Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh’s culture and hospitality are its greatest strengths and have earned the State recognition across the world. He stressed that preserving Telugu heritage is a collective responsibility. Tourism, he said, should not be seen only as recreation but as a key part of the creative economy . To strengthen the sector, the government has granted industry status to tourism and plans to roll out major tourism projects in nine districts.

Mr. Naidu noted that festivals in Andhra Pradesh are now gaining national attention, comparable to renowned celebrations such as Mysuru and Kolkata Dasara. He also urged Non-Resident Andhras to return home for Sankranti and celebrate the festival with their families.

European Union Ambassador Hervé Delphin , who attended the programme as a special guest, said the rapid development seen in Andhra Pradesh is attracting European investors. He said Indian culture enjoys global appeal, pointing to the international popularity of the song Naatu Naatu and the worldwide recognition of Kuchipudi dance. The European Union, he said, is keen to partner with Andhra Pradesh in sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen and agri-food processing. He expressed confidence that the upcoming India–EU summit would further strengthen cooperation. The next India–EU Summit is scheduled to take place on January 27, 2026, in New Delhi, India.

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh said the festival, held in the backdrop of the Krishna River, would give a fresh boost to the State’s tourism sector. He said the three-day event features a wide range of programmes focused on literature and the arts. He also noted that Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan could not attend due to Sankranti celebrations in Pithapuram and appealed to the public to take part in the festivities.

As part of the celebrations, folk dances and traditional theatre performances by artists from across the State drew large crowds. Special sessions highlighted the evolution of Telugu cinema, from early classics like Bhakta Prahlada to modern blockbusters such as Baahubali and RRR . Literary meets, poetry readings and international workshops on digital arts attracted youth, while exhibitions of traditional handicrafts offered visitors a rich cultural experience.

MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni) , MLAs Bonda Uma , Vasantha Krishna Prasad , Yarlagadda Venkata Rao , senior IAS officer Ajay Jain , and other dignitaries were present at the event.