Dhiraagu Gudi Fest to Bring Kite Flying Tradition Back to Usfasgandu This Friday

The annual Dhiraagu Gudi Fest will take place this Friday in Malé, with the event scheduled from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Usfasgandu area. Organised by Dhiraagu, the festival will offer a free kite to every participating child, reinforcing a Ramadan initiative that has expanded steadily since its launch in 2023.

Open to children of all ages, the one-hour gathering is designed to revive kite flying, a long-standing Maldivian tradition closely associated with Ramadan evenings. By distributing complimentary kites and hosting structured community events, Dhiraagu continues to position the initiative as part of its broader Ramadan engagement efforts.

Launched three years ago, Dhiraagu Gudi Fest was introduced to help sustain cultural practices that have gradually declined amid urbanisation and shifting leisure patterns. Kite flying has historically been a common pre-iftar activity across islands, particularly among children and youth. However, organised public events have become increasingly necessary to preserve such traditions in densely populated urban settings.

Following strong public participation in previous editions, Dhiraagu confirmed that this year’s Gudi Fest will extend beyond the Greater Malé area to multiple regions across the Maldives. The nationwide rollout is expected to increase access for families in outer atolls, strengthening the initiative’s community reach.

Dhiraagu has consistently introduced seasonal campaigns and community-focused programmes during Ramadan, aligning its corporate engagement strategy with the holy month. While the festival is recreational in nature, such large-scale public events contribute to economic spillovers, particularly for small vendors and informal businesses operating in and around event venues.

The continued expansion of Gudi Fest reflects a broader shift in corporate social responsibility strategies in the Maldives, where private sector entities are increasingly integrating cultural preservation into brand engagement. By formalising traditional activities through organised platforms, companies are contributing to social cohesion while reinforcing community ties.

In an economy navigating rapid modernisation alongside strong cultural identity, initiatives that sustain heritage practices carry significance beyond entertainment value. The growth of Dhiraagu Gudi Fest demonstrates how corporate-led community events can support cultural continuity while fostering inclusive participation during one of the most important periods in the Maldivian calendar.