Belgium’s Odia Community Celebrates Its First ‘Utkala Dibasa’ At Brussels

Brussels: The Belgium Odia Association organised its maiden Utkala Dibasa and also celebrated Holi at Brussels on March 23.

Debasish Prusty, Deputy Chief of Mission, Indian Embassy, inaugurated the event by lighting lamps in the presence of Odias staying in Belgium.

Around 60 Odia families participated in the event which saw a plethora of cultural programmes, including song and dance performances with Odisha flavour.

The cultural programme commenced with recital and dance performance of Odisha’s anthem ‘Bande Utkala Janani’.

Odissi dance, popular Odia and Sambalpuri songs, classic Odia cinema songs followed, with active participation from kids and elders alike.

Among other highlights were children’s games and fashion show/ramp walk. The event ended with Holi celebration.

Belgium Odia Association, started by a small group of Odia families in 2021, then expanded with a vision to unite all Odia families in Belgium.

The community aims to celebrate being Odia while staying as NROs (Non-Resident Odias) in Belgium, and aspires to spread the richness of Odia culture across other fellow Indians, Belgians and other expats in Belgium.