Bhubaneswar: Nearly 1,000 youth from all 30 districts of Odisha will converge at Kalinga Stadium here for the State Youth Festival 2025, scheduled from December 24 to 26. The three-day festival will feature state-level competitions across seven categories, with winners earning the opportunity to represent Odisha at the National Youth Festival, also known as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.
The competitive events include Poetry Writing, Story Writing, Declamation, Folk Song, Folk Dance, Painting and Science Mela. Participants will showcase their creative, cultural and intellectual talents, reflecting the diversity and potential of Odisha’s youth.
Alongside competitions, the festival will host a range of cultural programmes open to the public free of cost. On December 24, highlights include a Navy Band Orchestra performance by INS Chilika, sand animation by renowned artist Sudam Pradhan, a comedy show by Pragyan Khatua, and a musical performance by Deepti Rekha Padhy and her team.
Events on December 25 will feature a Nukkad Natak by Taranga Theatre led by Gyana Ranjan Sathua, a magic show by Sudhanshu Das, performances by the Prince Dance Group, and a musical programme by Mantu Chhuria and his group.
The festival will run daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, with evening cultural programmes scheduled between 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Organisers said the event aims to provide a platform for young talent, encourage cultural exchange, and inspire youth participation in nation-building.
With free public entry and a packed line-up of competitions and performances, the State Youth Festival 2025 is expected to draw large crowds and celebrate the vibrant energy of Odisha’s young generation.
-OdishaAge
