Lucknow's 18th Dastak Youth Festival Embraces Nature, Environment & Uttar Pradesh
The vibrant city of Lucknow is set to host the 18th edition of the Dastak Youth Festival, with this year's theme powerfully centered on 'Nature, Environment and Uttar Pradesh'. This significant cultural and artistic gathering is organized with robust support from the UP Tourism Department, alongside active collaboration from Yuva Club and various EcoTourism initiatives. The festival is scheduled to unfold from February 10th to February 12th at the prestigious International Buddhist Research Centre, providing a dynamic platform for creative expression and environmental consciousness.
A Multifaceted Platform for Youth Talent and Social Issues
Designed as a comprehensive arena for young minds, the Dastak Youth Festival empowers participants to showcase their artistic, poetic, and theatrical skills while engaging with critical contemporary issues. The event deliberately addresses themes of gender equality, environmental sustainability, women empowerment, and cultural heritage, encouraging youth to reflect on and respond to these vital topics through their creative work.
Students and young artists can immerse themselves in an impressive array of 30 diverse competitions, ensuring there is something for every creative inclination. The extensive competition list includes:
- Poetry writing and Baitbaazi
- Rangoli competition and Photography
- Collage making and Stand-up comedy
- Group dance and Solo dance performances
- Film review and Short film creation
- Cartoon making and Face painting
- Nukkad natak (street plays) and Skit or play productions
- Extempore speaking and News reporting
- Solo singing and Poster making
Registration for these competitions is affordably priced, with group registration set at Rs 50 and solo registration available for just Rs 20, making the festival highly accessible to all interested youth.
Extended Engagement and Special Highlights
The festival experience extends well beyond the core three-day event. A series of post-festival engagement activities will run from February 13th until February 20th, featuring film club screenings, guided nature walks, social media-based video projects, and interactive storytelling sessions. These activities are designed to sustain the momentum of creativity and environmental awareness initiated during the main festival.
Among the special highlights scheduled for February 11th is a compelling theatrical performance titled 'Dhatt Tere Ki', to be staged by acclaimed artists Udayveer Singh Yadav and Ziya Khan. Additionally, the festival will proudly host a photography exhibition by noted wildlife enthusiast and photographer Mohammad Ahsan, showcasing stunning visual narratives of nature and wildlife, perfectly aligning with the festival's environmental theme.
Culmination and Visionary Leadership
The Dastak Youth Festival will culminate on February 21st with a grand closing ceremony, where winners from various competitions will be honored with prizes and certificates, celebrating their artistic achievements and contributions to the festival's themes.
Veena Rana, the Founder and Coordinator of the Dastak Youth Festival, shared her vision for the event, stating, "The festival is for every student who wants to showcase talent and it also brings together creative minds and fosters a sense of responsibility among the youth." Her words underscore the festival's dual mission: to provide a platform for artistic expression while nurturing a generation of socially and environmentally conscious young leaders.
This edition of the Dastak Youth Festival not only promises to be a celebration of Uttar Pradesh's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty but also stands as a testament to the power of youth in driving positive change through art and dialogue.
