The 33rd edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela, a 17-day extravaganza, saw the participation of 30 nations, unprecedented in terms of numbers. Surajkund, meaning literally the Sun Lake, is an artificial reservoir built on Delhi’s southern ridge around the 10th century. By this millennium old site now takes place the gigantic fair, according to some the largest of its kind in the world.

It is hosted jointly by the Surajkund Mela Authroity, Haryana Tourism, the state of Haryana and the federal ministries of Culture, Tourism, Textile, External Affairs.

Maharashtra was the partner state. Thailand was the partner nation. Besides, there was enthusiastic participation from Nepal, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Senegal, Zambia, Comoros, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, South Africa, Austria, Netherland, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Ghana , Seychelles, Ethiopia, Morocco, Palestine, Bhutan, Uganda, Armenia, Maldives, Sudan, Kenya and Democratic Republic of Korea. Many of the foreign participants brought along troupes of artistes who performed daily and enthralled the sizeable audience keen to lap up the mesmerizing cultural fare. For instance, thrilling performances from folk artistes from Ghana, Egypt, Thailand, Zimbabwe and many more were delivered to the audience.