~ The second edition of the World Living Heritage Festival 2014 in Udaipur will be held from March 13 to 16, 2014
~This is organized by the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Udaipur in association with UNESCO New Delhi and will feature experts from around the world
~ The curtains come down on this event with the vibrant Holika Dahan celebrations, which stands as a testimony of the House of Mewar to uphold living heritage
Udaipur, March 6th, 2014: World Living Heritage Festival 2014 (WLHF 2014) celebrates the many colors of life and the various shades of cultural diversity which the Mewar region has to offer. It is a four day long festival which will be held from 13th – 16th March 2014, Udaipur. Udaipur and the City Palace are known to be the hubs of heritage conservation and that is why this unique event takes place here. The event will feature photo exhibitions, panel discussions, a book launch, sound and light show among others. A musical concert will bring the activities to a close every day.
In its second edition, WLHF 2014 will feature some eminent thinkers and experts in the field of heritage conservation. Some of them are Ms. Moe Chiba, Programme Specialist for Culture, UNESCO New Delhi, Prof. Vinayshil Gautam, Chairman, DK International Foundation, Ms. Minja Yang, President & Professor at Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation, KU/ Leuven (Belgium) and Dr. Ravina Aggarwal, Ford Foundation.
Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, the 76th custodian of the Mewar dynasty in Udaipur, who has been the driving force behind this festival said, “Our heritage is something that each one of us is proud of. It is not enough to just say it but also take a step towards preserving it for generations that follow. We believe in the concept of ‘Living Heritage’, which is our guiding light. The World Living Heritage Festival 2014 is a step in this direction. We are optimistic this event will prompt the participants and attendees both to take up the cause of heritage conservation.”
Brief schedule of WLHF 2014
| Date | Activities |
| 13th March, 2014 | Inaugural Ceremony
Rang: Digital dimension to living heritage
Inauguration of International Exhibition: Capturing the ‘Sacred’ in Strasbourg and Udaipur
International Conference on Living Heritage
Musical Concert
|
| 14th March, 2014 | International Conference: Ensuring Livelihood of Heritage Practitioners
Holistic Promotion of Living Heritage in Urban Space
Inaugural Ceremony of Sculpture Gallery titled – Divine Gesture: The magnificence of Mewar spirituality
The Legacy of Honour The Mewar Sound and Light Show in English Language
Musical concert
|
| 15th March, 2014 | Heritage walk
Action Plan for Udaipur
‘Long Exposure – The Camera at Udaipur, 1857 – 1957 Musical concert |
| 16th March, 2014 | Musical concert
Holika Dahan ceremony |
About Eternal Mewar
The House of Mewar, acknowledged as the world’s oldest-serving dynasty, has faced challenges, which have tested the maintenance of the Custodianship form of governance and the Custodian’s commitment to carry on serving as The Diwan of Shree Eklingnath ji.
In 1947 with India’s Independence and again in 1971, with the abolition of Princely Privileges, the office of the Custodian necessitated reinventions. In 1984 the mantle of 76th Custodian devolved upon Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur. The original status of Custodian, as provided in the Constitution of India, ceased to exist. The challenge, therefore, for Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur was to bring the different identities of inheritance under one umbrella.
Eternal Mewar is conceptualized to provide the vision for the 21st century, it expresses, embodies and encompasses the core values, principles and the legacy of the House of Mewar. Eternal Mewar covers all the activities of the House of Mewar. Eternal Mewar has also emerged as a unique heritage brand exemplifying hospitality, cultural preservation, philanthropy, education, sports & spirituality for global audiences.