Let’s go fly a kite…

Carrigaline will once again come alive with the sights and sounds of South Asia as the Basant Kite Flying Festival returns for its fourth annual celebration from June 27th to 29th.

What began as a small, one-day community gathering has grown into a major cultural event, rooted in the centuries-old South Asian tradition of Basant, a festival that fills the skies with vibrant kites in the spirit of renewal and joy.

“In the fields of the Indian subcontinent, this time of year is marked by blooming mustard flowers and joyful communities dressed in yellow—symbols of energy, sunshine, and hope.” the organisers, Walayat, a visual artist and UCC alumna, and Sample Studios, told us.

At the heart of the celebration is Carrigaline, where families, artists, and community members will gather for a day of festivities on Sunday, June 29th. Visitors can expect an immersive cultural experience featuring kite flying, kite-making workshops, traditional South Asian attire showcases, lively dance performances, live Punjabi drumming (Dhol), art displays, food stalls, and the much-loved Mango Party—a joyful highlight of the festival.

Surrounding events include a screening of the popular Pakistani film Legend of Maula Jatt at Triskel Arts Centre, and a travelling exhibition of South Asian art in Ireland, opening at Carrigaline Library (June 27th–July 18th) before continuing at Cork City Library (July 22nd- August 22nd). Featured artists include Iqra Iqbal, Hina Khan, Aditya Labhe, Antonio D’Souza, and Amna Walayat, who is also the festival’s founder and artistic director.

All events are free and open to the public, but advance booking is recommended at corkbasant.com. Attendees are encouraged to wear yellow, the colour of Basant and the spirit of spring.