03:35 PM CST on Wednesday, January 12, 2005

From 11 News Staff Reports

HOUSTON – The 2005 Houston International Festival will return to its roots in downtown Houston. This year’s festival, spotlighting India, takes place on April 23-24 and April 30-May 1.

The annual festival has grown into one of the nation’s largest urban festivals, with cultural entertainment and a top-notch musical lineup.

“Houston’s cultural salute began downtown, and it has been the Festival’s home for more than 25 of our 34 year history. Part of the identity of the festival came from the urban feel of the city,” said Robert T. Sakowitz, chairman, Houston Festival Foundation. “We are excited to be able to return to our roots. With all of the vitality in our renewed downtown, we are pleased we could work out arrangements for iFest to be presented there again. Downtown will best express the vibrancy of our spotlighted country.”

The festival honors a different country’s culture each year, and brings that culture and other cultures from around the world to Houston through music, dance, performance artists, food and expos on trade and business.

“Houston is a great international city and the International Festival and downtown have a long and fond history together,” said Mayor Bill White. “We’re glad to see the festival returning. Houston is on the move and downtown is as exciting and inviting as it has ever been. The International Festival will add to that.”

As Houston’s population expanded to become the fourth largest city in the nation and the country’s busiest port in foreign waterborne commerce, the festival’s mission now includes fostering goodwill relations with these countries to help stimulate additional international trade.

“We began planning our salute to the great country of India nearly three years ago,” said Jim Austin, president and chief operating officer of the Houston Festival Foundation. “In light of the horrific circumstances now facing the country, we wish to continue to celebrate the indomitable spirit and culture of the Indian people.”

To assist relief efforts for the Indian community affected by the Dec. 26 earthquake and related tsunami waves in South Asia, ifest.org provides links to two Indian charitable organizations providing direct aid to India as well as Sri Lanka and Indonesia.