Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

Pakistan: Traditional Basant Kite Festival Returns to Lahore After Past Safety Bans 2

The ancient Basant festival returned to the streets of Lahore for the first time in nearly two decades, marking the arrival of spring with traditional kite flying. The event was banned in 2007 following years of fatalities and injuries caused by sharp kite strings, falls from rooftops, and aerial firing.

Flying Kites - New Delhi

Flying Kites - New Delhi

A boy flies a kite on the rooftop of a building in New Delhi, India, on August 15, 2024. Photo by Javed Dar/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Flying Kites - New Delhi

Flying Kites - New Delhi

A man flies a kite on the rooftop of a building in New Delhi, India, on August 15, 2024. Photo by Javed Dar/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Flying Kites - New Delhi

Flying Kites - New Delhi

A boy flies a kite on the rooftop of a building in New Delhi, India, on August 15, 2024. Photo by Javed Dar/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

Flying Kites - New Delhi

Flying Kites - New Delhi

A man flies a kite from the window of a building in New Delhi, India, on August 15, 2024. Photo by Javed Dar/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(240420) -- WEIFANG, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 20, 2024 shows kites flying in the sky at the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. The annual kite gala kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(240420) -- WEIFANG, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 20, 2024 shows kites flying in the sky at the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. The annual kite gala kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(240420) -- WEIFANG, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 20, 2024 shows kites flying in the sky at the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. The annual kite gala kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(240420) -- WEIFANG, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 20, 2024 shows kites flying in the sky at the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. The annual kite gala kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(240420) -- WEIFANG, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 20, 2024 shows kites flying in the sky at the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. The annual kite gala kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(240420) -- WEIFANG, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 20, 2024 shows kites flying in the sky at the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. The annual kite gala kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(240420) -- WEIFANG, April 20, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on April 20, 2024 shows kites flying in the sky at the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province. The annual kite gala kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Xu Suhui)

Austin hosts annual ABC Kite Fest

STORY: Austin hosts annual ABC Kite Fest SHOOTING TIME: April 14, 2024 DATELINE: April 16, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:27 LOCATION: AUSTIN, U.S. CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the kite festival STORYLINE: The 96th ABC Kite Fest was held in Austin, Texas of the United States on Sunday. The annual event is one of the longest-running kite festivals in the U.S., according to the organizer. Activities, such as a kite-flying contest and children's concert, were staged during the festival. Xinhua News Agency correspondent reporting from Austin, U.S. (XHTV)

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

(240217) -- WELLINGTON, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People fly kites during the 2024 Otaki Kite Festival held on the beach of Otaki, Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 17, 2024. Hundreds of colourful kites were flying in the sky of Wellington's Otaki Beach during the kite festival held from Feb. 17 to 18. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

(240217) -- WELLINGTON, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People fly kites during the 2024 Otaki Kite Festival held on the beach of Otaki, Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 17, 2024. Hundreds of colourful kites were flying in the sky of Wellington's Otaki Beach during the kite festival held from Feb. 17 to 18. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

(240217) -- WELLINGTON, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People fly kites during the 2024 Otaki Kite Festival held on the beach of Otaki, Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 17, 2024. Hundreds of colourful kites were flying in the sky of Wellington's Otaki Beach during the kite festival held from Feb. 17 to 18. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

(240217) -- WELLINGTON, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People fly kites during the 2024 Otaki Kite Festival held on the beach of Otaki, Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 17, 2024. Hundreds of colourful kites were flying in the sky of Wellington's Otaki Beach during the kite festival held from Feb. 17 to 18. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

(240217) -- WELLINGTON, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People fly kites during the 2024 Otaki Kite Festival held on the beach of Otaki, Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 17, 2024. Hundreds of colourful kites were flying in the sky of Wellington's Otaki Beach during the kite festival held from Feb. 17 to 18. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

NEW ZEALAND-WELLINGTON-OTAKI KITE FESTIVAL

(240217) -- WELLINGTON, Feb. 17, 2024 (Xinhua) -- People fly kites during the 2024 Otaki Kite Festival held on the beach of Otaki, Wellington, New Zealand, Feb. 17, 2024. Hundreds of colourful kites were flying in the sky of Wellington's Otaki Beach during the kite festival held from Feb. 17 to 18. (Photo by Meng Tao/Xinhua)

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240212) -- BEIJING, Feb. 12, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 10, 2024 shows children flying a kite at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Mayor of Rafah Ahmed Al-Sufi warned that, "Israeli bombings have escalated in recent hours in Rafah, paving the way for a military operation in the city." He called on the international community to take action to prevent Israel from carrying out a military offensive in the city, which is currently inhabited by more than 1.4 million Palestinians, stressing that any military action would lead to a "massacre" and a bloodbath. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

MIDEAST-GAZA-RAFAH-TEMPORARY CAMP

MIDEAST-GAZA-RAFAH-TEMPORARY CAMP

(240211) -- GAZA, Feb. 11, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 10, 2024 shows a boy flying a kite at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Mayor of Rafah Ahmed Al-Sufi warned that, "Israeli bombings have escalated in recent hours in Rafah, paving the way for a military operation in the city." He called on the international community to take action to prevent Israel from carrying out a military offensive in the city, which is currently inhabited by more than 1.4 million Palestinians, stressing that any military action would lead to a "massacre" and a bloodbath. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

MIDEAST-GAZA-RAFAH-TEMPORARY CAMP

MIDEAST-GAZA-RAFAH-TEMPORARY CAMP

(240211) -- GAZA, Feb. 11, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on Feb. 10, 2024 shows children flying a kite at a temporary camp in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Mayor of Rafah Ahmed Al-Sufi warned that, "Israeli bombings have escalated in recent hours in Rafah, paving the way for a military operation in the city." He called on the international community to take action to prevent Israel from carrying out a military offensive in the city, which is currently inhabited by more than 1.4 million Palestinians, stressing that any military action would lead to a "massacre" and a bloodbath. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE INDUSTRY (CN)

(231227) -- WEIFANG, Dec. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Yuhang promotes local kites via livestreams in Wangjiazhuangzi Village in Fangzi District of Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 19, 2023. TO GO WITH "Across China: Kite industry flying high in east China village" (Xinhua/Wang Zhi)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE INDUSTRY (CN)

(231227) -- WEIFANG, Dec. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Workers make kites at the workshop of a kite factory in Wangjiazhuangzi Village in Fangzi District of Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 19, 2023. TO GO WITH "Across China: Kite industry flying high in east China village" (Xinhua/Wang Zhi)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE INDUSTRY (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE INDUSTRY (CN)

(231227) -- WEIFANG, Dec. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Workers pack kites at the Sanli kite factory in Wangjiazhuangzi Village in Fangzi District of Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, Dec. 19, 2023. TO GO WITH "Across China: Kite industry flying high in east China village" (Xinhua/Wang Zhi)

GERMANY-BERLIN-GIANT KITE FESTIVAL

GERMANY-BERLIN-GIANT KITE FESTIVAL

(230917) -- BERLIN, Sept. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man takes photos of a flying kite during the Giant Kite Festival in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

GERMANY-BERLIN-GIANT KITE FESTIVAL

GERMANY-BERLIN-GIANT KITE FESTIVAL

(230917) -- BERLIN, Sept. 17, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People watch the flying kites during the Giant Kite Festival in Berlin, Germany, Sept. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Ren Pengfei)

AUSTRALIA-SYDNEY-FESTIVAL OF THE WINDS

AUSTRALIA-SYDNEY-FESTIVAL OF THE WINDS

(230910) -- SYDNEY, Sept. 10, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People watch kites flying above Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, Sept. 10, 2023. Kite lovers flocked to Sydney's famous Bondi Beach on Sunday for Australia's annual kite festival, the Festival of the Winds. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

ART ALOFT

ART ALOFT, Edo kite painter, Tetsuya Kishida, kite making, Japanese kite, Japanese paper, bamboo, kite flying, traditional culture, Japanese culture=Date:January 5,1994, Place:Tokyo, JAPAN

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People attend the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A dragon-shaped kite is pictured during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People attend the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Competitors attend a kite flying competition during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Photo by Sun Shubao/Xinhua)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People try to fly a phoenix-shaped kite during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People try to fly a train-shaped kite during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People attend the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists take selfies during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Photo by Sun Shubao/Xinhua)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A whale-shaped kite is pictured during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

#CHINA-SHANDONG-WEIFANG-KITE FESTIVAL (CN)

(230415) -- WEIFANG, April 15, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Tourists fly kites during the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival in Weifang, east China's Shandong Province, April 15, 2023. The kite flying competition of the 40th Weifang International Kite Festival kicked off here Saturday. (Photo by Sun Shubao/Xinhua)

Kite festival opens in China's Tianjin

STORY: Kite festival opens in China's Tianjin DATELINE: April 5, 2023 LENGTH: 00:00:49 LOCATION: TIANJIN, China CATEGORY: ENTERTAINMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of a kite festival in China's Tianjin STORYLINE: A kite festival kicked off on Wednesday at Dongjiang Bay Beach in north China's Tianjin Municipality, attracting hundreds of tourists. The event, which will last till Sunday, consists of three parts: large kite flying, kite making and interaction. The kite festival has become an important cultural activity in the area during spring. It aims to inherit and promote traditional Chinese culture, and also provides a platform for citizens to show their kite-making and flying skills. In addition, the organizer has invited kite craftsmen to promote kite culture and offered related parent-child activities. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Tianjin, China. (XHTV)

GREECE-ATHENS-FLYING KITES

GREECE-ATHENS-FLYING KITES

(230227) -- ATHENS, Feb. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A woman tries to fly a kite on the occasion of Clean Monday at Filopappou Hill in Athens, Greece, on Feb. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

GREECE-ATHENS-FLYING KITES

GREECE-ATHENS-FLYING KITES

(230227) -- ATHENS, Feb. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man flies a kite on the occasion of Clean Monday at Filopappou Hill in Athens, Greece, on Feb. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

GREECE-ATHENS-FLYING KITES

GREECE-ATHENS-FLYING KITES

(230227) -- ATHENS, Feb. 27, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A man tries to fly a kite on the occasion of Clean Monday at Filopappou Hill in Athens, Greece, on Feb. 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

Thousands enjoy Kite Day in New Zealand's Christchurch

STORY: Thousands enjoy Kite Day in New Zealand's Christchurch DATELINE: Feb. 4, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:30 LOCATION: CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand CATEGORY: CULTURE/ENTERTAINMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of 2023 Kite Day in New Zealand's Christchurch STORYLINE: Thousands of people flock to New Brighton Beach in Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, as Kite Day returns on Saturday. The annual event brings together amateur and professional kite pilots for hours of flying action. Every summer, Christchurch holds a regular kite festival, which aims to encourage people to get outside and get in touch with nature. Kite Day has become one of the most important leisure and parent-child activities in the area. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Christchurch, New Zealand. (XHTV)

Kite-flying in Gaza to show solidarity with Japan

Kite-flying in Gaza to show solidarity with Japan

KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP, March 9 Kyodo - Children fly kites at an event held in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, on March 9, 2015, to show solidarity with people affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The kite-flying event has been held around the same time every year since 2012.

Afghan man flies traditional kite at Tokyo event

Afghan man flies traditional kite at Tokyo event

TOKYO, Japan - An Afghan man flies a traditional Afghan kite at an event held in Tokyo on March 1, 2014, to introduce Afghanistan-style kite flying.

Afghan man makes traditional kite at Tokyo event

Afghan man makes traditional kite at Tokyo event

TOKYO, Japan - An Afghan man (L) makes a traditional Afghan kite at an event held in Tokyo on March 1, 2014, to introduce Afghanistan-style kite flying.

Kite-flying in Gaza

Kite-flying in Gaza

KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP - Children fly kites at an event to show solidarity with people affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, held in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, on March 18, 2012.

Kite-flying in Gaza

Kite-flying in Gaza

KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP - Children fly kites at an event to show solidarity with people affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, held in Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, on March 18, 2012.