Excitement soars for foreign kite enthusiasts

AHMEDABAD: Diana Delli Paoli from Australia has given a miss to her kite shop back in Merimbula, New South Wales during her business season to be a part of the lifetime experience of Kite Festival in Ahmedabad.

Paoli is one of the 81 participants who have flown down to Ahmedabad from 31 different countries to participate in the festival. An excited Paoli says, “I have read a lot about kite culture in India and will experience it for first time. I will be flying a huge kite which will look like a peacock once in air . Another will arch with 31 small and big kites woven around it.”

Kite lovers from US, England, Brazil, New Zealand among others will display their unique kites and their expertise in flying giant kites.

For Derek Kuhn, president of Midlands Kite Fliers, England, it is an amazing experience to see kite culture of city. Kuhn says, “Indian kites are known all over the world and to come to the centre of kite flying is very exciting for all of us. We are raring to show our kite skills to the kite lovers here.”

“Kite flying is also about exchange of culture and ideas and this is a wonderful medium to strengthen relationships among different cultures,” adds Kuhn.

Master kite maker and expert in custom kite displays, Clifford Quinn from US, says, “It was hard to resist the chance of coming to India and especially Gujarat to be a part of the Vibrant Kite Festival. Kite flying here is a passion, a culture. But in US, it is more of a hobby.”

Another participant, Stefan Cook, operation manager of Ultimate Kite Show from New Zealand says, “Indian kites are unique in their make. We are looking forward to Saturday's kite event.”

Source: timesofindia