Lucknow: As Boho Fest entered its closing day, the spotlight briefly shifted from the stages to a conversation about culture, tourism, and the future of creative experiences in Uttar Pradesh. Addressing the media at the festival grounds, Kalyan Singh, Deputy Director, Uttar Pradesh Tourism, underscored the growing relevance of Boho Fest as a contemporary cultural movement for Lucknow and the state at large.
Speaking against the vibrant backdrop of Lucknow’s first-ever music and cultural festival, Singh highlighted how platforms like Boho Fest are redefining cultural tourism by moving beyond monuments and heritage circuits. “Festivals like these create living cultural experiences,” he noted, adding that youth-led, community-driven events play a crucial role in positioning Uttar Pradesh as a destination that celebrates creativity, inclusivity, and modern cultural expression.
He emphasised that Boho Fest reflects a shift in how tourism is being imagined—where music, art, wellness, food, and community engagement collectively shape a destination’s identity. According to him, such initiatives not only attract visitors but also deepen local participation, ensuring that culture is experienced, not just observed.
The press conference also saw Amitesh Ahuja, Festival Director, Boho Fest, share insights into the festival’s conception and long-term vision. He spoke about Boho Fest being designed as more than a music festival—a thoughtfully curated cultural platform that brings together diverse creative forms under one shared experience. From independent music and visual arts to wellness spaces and local food ecosystems, the festival was envisioned as a reflection of Lucknow’s evolving cultural pulse.
Expressing gratitude to the Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Ahuja acknowledged the department’s guidance and encouragement, stating that institutional support played a pivotal role in shaping the festival’s direction and ensuring its seamless execution. “Their belief in the idea gave us the confidence to think bigger and more inclusively,” he said.
Ahuja further noted that Boho Fest mirrors the changing cultural identity of Uttar Pradesh—deeply rooted in tradition, yet open to contemporary narratives and new forms of expression. He added that the festival sets a precedent for future large-scale cultural experiences in the region, encouraging collaboration between creators, communities, and public institutions.
With strong governmental backing and an enthusiastic public response, Boho Fest has emerged as more than a debut event. It marks a meaningful step towards establishing Lucknow as a vibrant hub for music, culture, and experiential tourism, signaling a future where culture becomes a key driver of both identity and economic vitality in Uttar Pradesh.
