The Parade Ground buzzed with energy as the International Kite Festival took flight from Tuesday to Thursday. With nearly 100 participants from 19 countries and 15 Indian states, the three-day event united a global community of kite enthusiasts, from seasoned pros to beginners. As massive, colorful creations danced in the wind, the festival turned the horizon into a swirling kaleidoscope of culture and craft.‘Flying kites here is special because of the people’ For Ricky and Jo, a couple from Melbourne, Australia, this marks their third visit to the city for the festival. Sharing their experience, they say, “We love returning to Hyderabad because of the people.
They enjoy taking photos with us and our kites, which makes the experience really fun. We are simply happy to meet people and connect with the locals.” ‘Flying a kite feels like therapy during stressful times’ Gadis Widiyati from Singapore has been flying kites for over 30 years and has visited India multiple times in the past 25 years. “Each year, I visit India two or three times for kite festivals, and whenever I am invited, I always say yes because I truly like India,” she says. Speaking about her love for kite flying, she adds, “I have been flying kites since I was ten years old, and although it was not considered a game for girls, I never knew why; I just loved it.
I really enjoy seeing a kite fly high. It feels like therapy, especially during stressful times.”
— Andre, Italian kitist
– Donna Taylor, Canadian kitist
