KOLKATA: Senior Unesco officials are coming down to Kolkata to participate in the proposed pre-Durga Puja rally on September 1.
Following the invitation of Bengal chief secretary H K Dwivedi to the director general Audrey Azoulay, director and India representative of Unesco, Eric Falt confirmed his presence along with another senior official, Tim Curtis.
"Thus I take this opportunity to confirm our joint participation in the celebration." Falt wrote: "We at Unesco commend the state of West Bengal for the measures taken to ensure long-term protection of its incredible Intangible Cultural Heritage. They will serve as an example of the transformative potential in the field of culture to bring lasting, sustainable growth for all." The Unesco had accorded the Intangible Cultural Heritage tag to Durga puja last year in December, for which CM Mamata Banerjee plans a grand pre-puja celebration on September 1. A fibre glass Durga idol will also be on display during the I-Day parade on Red Road.
