VISAKHAPATNAM:The Vizag Fest, a cultural extravaganza, has kick-started at the Andhra University Engineering College Grounds here Friday. The fest will go on till April 18. It is being organised with the aim of rekindling the spirit of Vizagites after cyclone Hudhud tore the city apart.
The fest was inaugurated by HRD minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and other dignitaries of the city, who released tricolour balloons Friday evening. It was followed by several cultural events by troupes from all over Andhra Pradesh showcasing the cultural richness of the state.
The organisers said that the fest is intended to spread knowledge rather than to just provide entertainment.
There are around 300 stalls of different kinds, making it one of the biggest fests organised in the city. There are separate blocks, each dedicated to a particular field such as literature, public sector, science and technology, cartoons and theme-specific exhibits. Many food stalls dotted the grounds.
The book fest has over 145 stalls owned by publishers from different parts of the state. In the science and technology section, students and lecturers from various institutions have put up working models of scientific contraptions, biological specimens and charts related to scientific topics. There is also a section that displays thought-provoking cartoons selected from thousands of entries from all over the country. The fest also hosts the biggest promotional gathering of all the major public sector industries of the country.
The fest has already begun to draw a lot of attention and is set to bring back the lost enthusiasm of Vizagites. It is open between 2 and 9 pm.