This year, for the first time, Festival Àsia is being held within the framework of the Mercè celebrations, with a jam-packed programme of shows and activities. India – home to over a million people – is this year’s guest country and will occupy the place of honour. A dance show by the brilliant choreographer Akram Khan, accompanied by the Chinese National Classical Ballet, will open the Festival at the Mercat de les Flors. Living Dance Studio, a contemporary Chinese dance company, will perform two shows, one at the Mercat de les Flors and one at CaixaForum. Ciutadella Park will welcome ancient music and dance from Rajasthan and we shall get a first-hand experience of the Siddi community, which arrived in India from Africa eight centuries ago and has managed to keep its traditions alive. We shall also discover that the tradition of building human towers extends beyond Catalonia, we shall witness the construction of a giant Bollywood mural, and we shall have the chance to fly one of the 500 kites brought over from the Indian city of Jaipur to fill the Barcelona sky. All this without forgetting the extensive programme of films inviting us to enter a world of culture and millenary traditions, and Asian cuisine, a unique chance to enjoy the continent’s different flavours. How could you let such an opportunity slip by?

Further information: www.festivalasia.es