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Montreal hosts Flavours of India, Holi festival
High Commissioner Dinesh K. Patnaik joined the cultural celebration at Montreal's Old Port.
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Ankita Baidya - Wed, 15, Jul 2026
- 04:12 EDT
- 20
High Commissioner Dinesh K. Patnaik addresses attendees during the Flavours of India and Holi festival in Montreal. / X/HCI_Ottawa
The Flavours of India and Festival des Couleurs (Holi) brought Indian food, music, dance and cultural traditions to Montreal's historic Vieux-Port, with India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh K. Patnaik, joining the celebrations alongside community leaders and public officials.
According to a post on X by the High Commission of India in Canada, the festival was organized by the Indo Canadian Diaspora of Quebec with support from the High Commission of India in Ottawa. Quebec Member of Parliament Marie-Gabrielle Menard and other dignitaries also attended the event.
Also read: Kamal Khera to join Canadian diplomatic corps
Addressing the gathering, Patnaik praised the organizers for bringing together diverse aspects of India's cultural heritage through cuisine, performances and community participation. The High Commission said the festival showcased India's traditions while strengthening cultural ties between the Indian diaspora and the wider Canadian community.
Held at the Quai de l'Horloge in Montreal's Old Port, the festival featured a range of activities, including live cultural performances, yoga demonstrations, Ayurveda sessions and the traditional Holi celebration using eco-friendly colours. Visitors also explored stalls offering regional Indian cuisine, street food and traditional desserts prepared by local restaurants representing different parts of India.
According to event listings published by the Old Port of Montreal and the Société de développement commercial du Vieux-Montréal, the family-oriented event also included a dedicated children's zone with inflatable games and activities overlooking the waterfront. Organizers promoted the festival as an opportunity to experience Indian culture through food, music and interactive programming.
The event is part of a broader calendar of Indian cultural outreach initiatives supported by the High Commission across Canada. Since assuming office in August 2025, Patnaik has participated in several diaspora and public engagement events, including the Essence of India live cooking demonstration with Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa, Independence Day celebrations featuring tricolour illuminations in Ottawa and Kingston, and the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
Patnaik is a career Indian Foreign Service officer with more than three decades of diplomatic experience. Before taking charge as High Commissioner to Canada, he served as India's ambassador to Spain, Morocco and Cambodia, and held diplomatic assignments in Geneva, Dhaka, Beijing and Vienna, according to the High Commission's official website.
The Montreal celebration also reflects the growing role of community organizations in promoting Indian culture across Canada. According to ICDQ's own website, the organization regularly partners with the High Commission and local groups on cultural festivals, workshops, and community events aimed at celebrating Indian heritage while fostering engagement across Quebec's multicultural community.
Beyond cultural festivals, ICDQ has also supported consular outreach: the High Commission said on X that it organized a consular camp in Montreal on September 21, 2025, with ICDQ's support, providing services including life certificates to nearly 120 members of the local Indo-Canadian community. ICDQ has also organized events such as Bharat Diwas, celebrating Indian heritage through music, dance, and cuisine, according to the organization's website.
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