Vadodara, Oct 11 (PTI) As many as 150 foreign delegates, including ambassadors from over 30 countries, gathered in Gujarat’s Vadodara over the weekend to explore its royal heritage, art, and vibrant local traditions, officials said on Sunday.
The two-day cultural diplomacy initiative, titled “AIKYAM 2026 – Rasa & Realism,” was organised by cultural and arts organisation Sopaan to foster dialogue and showcase the city’s artistic legacy.
On Saturday, the delegates visited the Maharaja Fatesinh Museum, which houses works by renowned painter Raja Ravi Varma, and took a tour of Lakshmi Vilas Palace, the residence of the Gaekwad royal family.
The day’s programme included conversations on art featuring Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad and internationally recognised art expert Deborah Swallow.
The delegates later attended a royal dinner hosted by Maharani Radhikaraje and Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad.
On Sunday, the group visited Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The delegates also visited a local wrestling akhada in the city to get a glimpse of a traditional community practice, and later explored Gujarati textiles and handicrafts and attended a Navratri dinner hosted by Vadodara MP Hemang Joshi.
The evening programme included a grand garba event at Lakshmi Vilas Palace, followed by a visit to the Vadodara Navratri Festival at Navlakhi Ground.
Ten European embassies in India are partnering with Sopaan for the initiative, which is supported by Gujarat Tourism, the European Union Delegation to India, the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, the Baroda Heritage Trust and the Federation of Gujarat Industries, among others.
The organisers said the programme seeks to promote cultural dialogue and showcase Vadodara’s heritage, traditional crafts and contemporary cultural landscape to international audiences. PTI COR PJT ARU
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