Patna, Dec. 26: Artistes from 25 districts will come together in Buxar tomorrow to take part in a cultural programme.

The department of art, culture and youth affairs is organising a three-day Yuva Utsav in Buxar from December 27, as part of the Bihar centenary celebrations.

Various competitions, including folk dance and folk music, classical music, photography, one-act play, will also be organised during the event. Labour resources minister Janardan Singh would inaugurate the Yuva Utsav.

Artistes from all over the state are expected to take part in the function, minister for art, culture and youth affairs Sukhda Pandey said.

“So far, artistes from 25 districts have confirmed their participation in the cultural programme. This year, the number of districts participating in the cultural fest has gone up from 17 to 25,” she said.

The minister added that food and lodging arrangements will be made for artistes taking part in the programme.

Pandey said the primary objective of the Yuva Utsav is to increase the participa- tion of youths in cultural programmes.

The cultural fest will also include two functions — Shukhra Gulzar and Sani Vihar — apart from other events. Bhojpuri singer and actor Manoj Tiwari has given his consent to take part in the Yuva Utsav, the minister informed.

The winners at the Yuva Utsav will represent Bihar at the five-day 17th National Youth Festival (National Yuva Utsav) to be held from January 12-16 in Mangalore, Karnataka.

The art, culture and youth affairs department will also host Vikramshila Utsav in Bhagalpur and Keshariya Utsav in Motihari in February next year. Various cultural fests highlighting the rich heritage of the state would be organised during the events.