This winter, fairs and festivals return to Kolkata with a vengeance

City of Joy thrives largely on public celebrations after a long pandemic-forced gap

The return of the numerous winter festivals and fairs after a long pandemic-forced gap is lending an air of normalcy to what is popularly known as the City of Joy and that thrives largely on public celebrations.

This weekend marks the beginning of a series of events and exhibitions that will extend well into 2022 and last until the book fair in February and will see gatherings in different parts of Kolkata. Unless the new Omicron strain plays the spoilsport, this winter in Kolkata — always sweetened by the arrival of fresh date-palm jaggery — won’t be very different from those of the pre-COVID times.

“It’s a relief to see the festivals and fairs crawling back to life. After two years of sticking indoors, it’s surreal to actually be at a venue to be able to enjoy a performance live! The thought itself is giving me goosebumps. What was as regular as drinking water, has suddenly become a vanity. Pandemic did turn things around,” said advertising professional Sreelekha Maitra, summing up the general mood in the city.