The Christmas festival will be inaugurated by chief minister Mamata Banerjee on December 20. Peppered with live choir and band performances, programmes will be held till December 23 inside Allen Park on Park Street. “There will be Christmas carols in the evenings presented by various choirs and bands performing thereafter. The carols will be in English, Hindi, Bengali and Nepali to cater to a diverse audience,” said Michael Shane Calvert, chief coordinator of Kolkata Christmas Festival.
Keeping in view the Covid situation, the organizers have decided not to allow food stalls along the northern pavement. Only three stalls will be allowed inside the Church premises to sell Christmas cakes and goodies. “We want people to enjoy Christmas but not contribute to the crowd on Park Street. Hence, the decision to do away with food stalls like last year,” reasoned Calvert.
However, like every year, the entire stretch of Park Street between Chowringhee and AJC Bose Road will be lit up. At the entrance to Allen Park will be a 20-ft Christmas tree. “The crib that we are making will be placed in the park and inaugurated by CM Mamata Banerjee at 4.30pm,” said Catholic Association of Bengal president Angelina Mantosh.
After the CM’s welcome speech, there will be carols by three groups, followed by performances by three bands. Carols and band performances are lined up on all days.
Like last year, there will be a two-day break on Christmas eve and Christmas day followed by events conducted by the tourism department. The Kolkata Police band will perform on December 27. “We will keep the functions enjoyable yet low-key so that there is no major crowd build-up,” said Calvert.
Catholic Association of Bengal has taken over the maintenance of Mother Teresa Island at the Park Street-Camac Street intersection.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/its-official-santas-coming-to-park-street-on-dec-20/articleshow/88214139.cms
