International Buddhist Festival at BMICH

Vesak 2009 from today

Vesak 2009 - International Buddhist Festival, will be inaugurated at BMICH today at 5.30 p.m. The chief guest at the opening ceremony will be Minister Mahinda Yapa Abayawardana. Vesak 2009, will consist of a complex of events, which will cumulatively add up to an impressive spiritual resurgence.

Visitors will be greeted by a stupa, formed by fountains, created using advanced water-engineering skills.

At this festival, the visitors will come upon a ‘Chitra-pata Dansala where you will be able to view short films and feature films - both local and foreign, on Buddhist themes, free of charge. Devotional songs will be recited by film stars and popular personalities.

The festival will feature a vegetarian food festival and digital pandals, conceptualised and created under the guidance of Ven. Ellawela Vijithananda Thera.

This festival will elevate Vesak to a high spiritual status, with a marked emphasis on international and human harmony that will illuminate the path to a world of peace and tranquillity.

The special booth titled Cinema Asapuwa will enable would-be film-makes on Buddhist themes, and those who are willing to finance such film projects, to meet.

The festival will be held on May 9, 10, 11 and 12 from 5.30 p.m. and to midnight. The workshop will be held on May 10, 11 and 12.