Special section for student competitors:

NCC provincial expo to benefit handicraftsmen

Handicraft exhibition will be held on a provincial basis concurrently with the Shilpa 2007 National Handicrafts Exhibition organised by the Rural Industries and Self Employment Promotion Ministry.

Arrangements for this purpose have been finalised by the National Crafts Council in association with the Provincial Industries Ministries.

These provincial exhibitions will be held in all parts of the country including the North and East throughout this month said communique issued by the NCC.

Handicraft artistes permanently resident in the respective provinces who are registered with the NCC will be eligible to participate in these exhibitions. They should ensure that their creation are certified by the respective NCC officer in their province before submitting their entries the communique added.

Since entries are subjected to scrutiny by the Judges panel on the day before the respective exhibition all creations should be submitted to the relevant venue at least three days in advance before the exact date of the exhibition.

Winning entries at these provincial exhibitions would qualify to enter the Shilpa 2007 National Handicrafts Exhibition where Presidential Awards will be granted to the winners.

Provincial exhibitions will be held as follows, Central Province Exhibition at the Kandy Queens Hotel Ballroom hall on October 24 and 25, North Central Province Exhibition at the Anurahdpura Sports Pavilion on October 23,24 and 25, Southern Province Exhibition at the Galle Town Hall on October 22,23 and 24, Western Province Exhibition at the Colombo National Art Gallery on October 26,27 and 28, Uva Province Exhibition at the Moneragla Pradesheeya Sabha Hall on October 27 and 28 and the Eastern Province Exhibition at the Batticalo Hindu College on October 27 and 28.

There would be special section for student competitors. The panel of judges will include veterans in the handicrafts field approved by the Presidential Secretariat.

Details about Provincial exhibitions could be obtained from the respective Provincial Coordinating officers or the Provincial Assistant Directors/Development Assistants of the NCC, for further information Contact Director, NCC, Jana Kala Kendra Complex, Bataramulla.