Allen Park is alive with carols, Park Street has become a blur of red and white, and the city is sparkling like a new bride. The Kolkata Christmas Festival 2023 is officially underway!
My Kolkata was at Allen Park on December 21, when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the carnival’s 13th edition.
Allen Park is lit up and ready to welcome visitors
The CM kicked off the festivities by lighting the massive Christmas Tree at the park’s entrance, and remotely illuminating Bow Barracks. Residents of the Barracks joyously watched the simultaneous inauguration on a massive TV that had been installed onstage. Rt. Revd. Dr. Paritosh Canning, Bishop of Kolkata, blessed the crib inside the park.
Allen Park will host many acclaimed musical artists from the city including The Majors of Minors, Inferno, and Shayne Hyrapiet. While the musical events will conclude on December 30, the lights will stay on till January 1.
The event had several eminent guests in attendance, including Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, Tourism Minister Indranil Sen, MP Derek O’Brien, and Calcutta Archbishop Reverend Thomas D’Souza. “The birth of Jesus made it possible for everyone to be enlightened. These Christmas lights drive away all forms of darkness, and the festival is a reminder that love needs to be a binding force among us. Irrespective of our ethnicity or religion, God loves us and wants us to love each other,” said D’Souza.
The entire stretch of Park Street from St. Paul’s Cathedral to Allen Park has been illuminated.
The CM also announced several important initiatives including the inauguration of the 36th Bishnupur Mela, expansion of the Garchumuk Zoological Garden in Howrah, conceptualisation of a tourism complex in the hills of Purulia, and the renovation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s birthplace in Chinsurah.
The Park will see musical performances from an array of artists till December 30
Speaking at the event, Banerjee urged the city to embrace unity. “This festival attracts people from all around the world to West Bengal, and our state has been declared as a prominent tourism destination by UNESCO. Despite the colour of our skin and the religion we follow, we are one family. Christmas isn’t just a day for happiness, but humanity.”
After her speech, Banerjee beckoned Indranil Sen to regale the gathering with his music. Sen relented with his renditions of 'Mangal Deep Jwele' and 'Biswapita Tumi He Prabhu'
The party isn’t limited to Park Street and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Bow Barracks residents were also elated to begin their Christmas celebrations. “Every year, we have a committee organising these celebrations. However, this year, all the residents of Bow Barracks have come together to celebrate Christmas. The CM has helped with decorations and lighting, giving us the same respect as Park Street,” said Felix Augustine, a resident of the community.
The lights at Bow Barracks were inaugurated simultaneously. Santa is expected to come to the area on December 22, bearing gifts for over 300 children.
This year’s celebrations are special, as the entire state will be illuminated for Christmas. The government has set up festive lights in prominent locations and churches in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Asansol, Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Chandernagore, Bandel, Krishnanagar, Jhargram, Purulia, Baruipur, Alipurduar, Howrah and Bidhannagar.
