Shillong, October 29: The Meghalaya Government, through the Department of Arts and Culture, will organise the State-Level Living Heritage – Arts and Crafts Villages Festival 2026 on November 3 and 4 at the State Central Library premises in Shillong as part of the Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas (JJGD) celebrations. The two-day festival will bring together artisans and representatives from 11 villages across Meghalaya to showcase traditional crafts, artistic practices and indigenous knowledge while promoting cultural preservation and craft-based livelihoods.
According to a press release issued by the Department of Arts and Culture, the festival aims to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Meghalaya’s villages and recognise the skills, creativity and traditional knowledge that have been preserved and passed down through generations. The event will provide a platform for artisans and village communities to display handmade products, demonstrate traditional craft-making techniques and share the cultural significance and stories associated with their work. Visitors will also have the opportunity to interact directly with artisans, learn about their traditional practices and gain a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship and knowledge that continue to sustain rural communities.
The department stated that the festival would highlight the important role played by indigenous communities in preserving Meghalaya’s cultural identity while recognising the contribution of traditional crafts to local livelihoods and economic activities. Organised under the observance of Jan Jatiya Gaurav Divas, the festival will also serve as an occasion to acknowledge the cultural heritage, creativity and contributions of indigenous communities.
The celebration will place village artisans and traditional craft practitioners at the centre of the programme, recognising their efforts in keeping traditional skills and cultural practices alive. The festival is scheduled to be inaugurated on November 3, with activities continuing until November 4.
The Department of Arts and Culture has invited members of the public to attend the two-day event at the State Central Library premises in Shillong and experience Meghalaya’s living traditions through the crafts, products and cultural knowledge of its village communities.
