39th Surajkund International Craft Festival 2026 to showcase artisans from 50+ countries, celebrating Indian heritage and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Faridabad : Haryana Heritage and Tourism Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma announced that the 39th Surajkund International Aatmanirbhar Craft Festival will make a significant impact on the global cultural and tourism map. With the aim of fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the festival will celebrate the artistry of national and international artisans, weavers, and craftsmen, while boosting intellectual and commercial activities. The festival’s guiding theme is “Local to Global – Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Dr. Sharma, addressing a press conference at the Haryana Civil Secretariat on Wednesday, shared that the Vice President of India, Sh. C.P. Radhakrishnan, will inaugurate the craft conclave at Surajkund, Faridabad, on January 31. Union Tourism Minister Sh. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Haryana CM Sh. Nayab Singh Saini will attend as special guests, while the 16-day festival will conclude on February 15, with Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh as the chief guest.
The Minister highlighted that the festival is more than just an event; it is a celebration of India’s cultural unity, craftsmanship, and spirit of self-reliance. It aims to preserve Haryana’s heritage, provide sustainable livelihoods for artisans, and strengthen international cultural cooperation.
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Egypt will be the Partner Nation for the fourth time, showcasing its ancient art and culture, while Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya will serve as the Theme States, presenting their rich cultural and folk traditions. Last year, the festival featured 635 participants from 44 countries, and this year nearly 800 participants from over 50 countries are expected to take part.
The festival will host over 1,200 stalls for national and international artisans, weavers, and exhibitors of traditional crafts. Renowned performers, including Padma Shri Kailash Kher, Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan, and Padma Shri Mahabir Guddu, will entertain visitors. Regional artists will also perform on multiple stages, using traditional instruments like the ektara, sarangi, and dheru, keeping Haryana’s folk arts alive.
To accommodate the growing number of tourists, infrastructure development worth Rs. 4.75 crore has been undertaken, including venue beautification, widening pathways, construction of 127 new huts, repair of old huts, and expansion of the amusement area.
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Dr. Sharma also expressed his deep condolences over the untimely demise of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sh. Ajit Pawar in a crash landing.
Sharing further insights, Commissioner and Secretary of Heritage and Tourism, Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, emphasized that the Surajkund International Craft Mela is internationally recognized, attracting artisans from across India and abroad. He added that the festival is not purely commercial but aims to promote artisan craftsmanship, strengthen self-reliance, boost exports, and give local products a global platform.
Director of Tourism, Sh. Parth Gupta, was also present at the press briefing.