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GOLDFEST 2026 Kicks Off in Ahmedabad Celebrating 50 Years of Indo-Japan Ties

The Indo-Japan Friendship Association of Gujarat has inaugurated GOLDFEST 2026, a five-day cultural festival in Ahmedabad commemorating 50 years of bilateral friendship. The festival was launched with the opening of "Patang-O-Dori," a major exhibition showcasing Japanese kites and shared kite-flying heritage with Ahmedabad. It also celebrates the first anniversary of the sister city relationship between Ahmedabad and Hamamatsu and the sister state partnership between Gujarat and Shizuoka Prefecture. The event, with the theme "Kem Chhe - Konnichiwa," aims to reinforce cultural bonds through art, music, and cuisine.

Key Points: GOLDFEST 2026: Ahmedabad Celebrates 50 Years of Indo-Japan Friendship

  • Marks 50 years of Indo-Japan friendship
  • Features "Patang-O-Dori" kite exhibition
  • Celebrates Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad sister city anniversary
  • Aims to strengthen cultural bonds
2 min read

GOLDFEST 2026 Begins in Ahmedabad marking 50 Years of Indo-Japan Friendship

GOLDFEST 2026, a cultural festival in Ahmedabad, marks 50 years of Indo-Japan friendship and the anniversary of the Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad sister city pact.

"present to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Indo-Japan Friendship Association - Megumi Shimada"

Ahmedabad, January 11

The Indo-Japan Friendship Association of Gujarat on Saturday inaugurated GOLDFEST 2026, marking 50 years of Indo-Japan friendship. The five-day cultural celebration is being held from January 10 to 14, 2026, as part of IJFA's Golden Jubilee commemorations.

As per the statement, the festival was inaugurated with the opening of "Patang-O-Dori", a grand Japanese kite exhibition, at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA). The exhibition was inaugurated by Megumi Shimada, Consul for Cultural Affairs, Consulate General of Japan in Mumbai, in the presence of the Honorary Consul of Japan in Ahmedabad, Mukesh Patel, Japanese dignitaries and senior officials.

GOLDFEST 2026 also commemorates the first anniversary of the Hamamatsu-Ahmedabad Sister City relationship and the Shizuoka Prefecture-Gujarat Sister State partnership. Delegations from Shizuoka and Hamamatsu are participating in the festival, bringing Japanese kites, music and traditional matcha culture to the centre stage.

The "Patang-O-Dori" exhibition highlights the shared kite-flying heritage of Hamamatsu, Japan's kite-flying capital, and Ahmedabad, known for its iconic Uttarayan celebrations. The exhibition features colourful Japanese kites, traditional lanterns gifted by the City of Hamamatsu, and narratives tracing the evolution of kite-flying traditions in both cultures.

On the occasion, Megumi Shimada, Consul for Cultural Affairs, Japan, told the media that she was present to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the Indo-Japan Friendship Association and one year anniversary of Ahmedabad and Hamamatsu city

As per the statement, the exhibition will be open to the public on January 11 and 12, from 11 am to 7 pm.

With the theme "Kem Chhe - Konnichiwa", GOLDFEST 2026 aims to strengthen cultural bonds through art, music and cuisine, reinforcing Gujarat's long-standing reputation as the "Mini-Japan of India."

India and Japan share a 'Special Strategic and Global Partnership', the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted in a statement.

It noted that the friendship between the two countries has a long history rooted in spiritual affinity and strong cultural and civilizational ties.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Gujarat as the "Mini-Japan of India" is a fitting title given the strong industrial and now cultural ties. Hope such festivals also lead to more Japanese investments and technology transfers in our state. The economic partnership is as important as the cultural one.
A
Aman W
Took my family to the exhibition today. The Japanese kites are stunning! The kids loved it. My only suggestion - the timings are a bit short and the venue was quite crowded. Maybe next time they can extend it for more days or have a bigger space? Otherwise, a fantastic event.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in Japan, seeing this blend of cultures warms my heart. The spiritual and civilizational ties mentioned by the MEA are so real. From Buddhism to a shared love for craftsmanship and festivals, India and Japan have so much in common. More power to such initiatives!
K
Karthik V
50 years of friendship is a significant milestone. In a world full of conflicts, seeing two ancient cultures celebrating peace and partnership is refreshing. Japan has been a reliable partner for India in many sectors. Here's to the next 50 years!
N
Nisha Z
I hope they are also showcasing Indian kites and our Uttarayan festivities to the Japanese delegation with the same enthusiasm. Cultural exchange should be a two-way street. Glad to see matcha culture being brought in though! ☕

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