After three days of intense competition, inventiveness, and friendship, the 44th edition of Concord 2026—Kolkata’s oldest and one of the city’s most prestigious inter-school cultural festivals—came to a spectacular conclusion. The festival, which was organized by Calcutta Boys’ School from July 1 to July 3, honored the artistic and cultural abilities of young students by bringing together over 30 top schools from throughout West Bengal.

Raja McGee, Principal and Secretary of the Calcutta Boys’ Group of Schools, welcomed attendees and emphasized Concord’s long history as a venue that promotes teamwork, innovation, and comprehensive learning outside of the classroom.

Debleena Dutta, a well-known Tollywood actor, was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony. She encouraged students by reminding them that the experiences, friendships, and memories they make during the festival are far more valuable than winning or losing, drawing on her own experience as a former Concord competitor.

The opening day featured a wide range of competitions, including Devotional Choir, Instrumental Music, Poster Making, Comic Strip, and Console Gaming.

The grand finale was held at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), Kolkata, where Bengali actor Soumya Mukherjee attended as the Chief Guest. He congratulated the participants and acknowledged their extraordinary skill, self-control, and artistic brilliance.

Soumya Mukherjee said, “It is a pleasure to be a part of this event. Earlier, I came to this inter-school festival as a student, and this time I came as a guest. I wish this event a grand success and hope that it continues to be popular even in the future”.

The captivating dance performances by participating schools kicked off the closing ceremony. With a series of thrilling performances that were met with thunderous applause, Calcutta Boys’ School enthralled the audience with a magnificent tribute to Michael Jackson. As students dazzled the audience with their inventiveness, self-assurance, and coordinated performances, the Fashion Show added glitz and excitement.

The well-known band In-Sync’s upbeat performance, which had the crowd singing, applauding, and dancing in celebration, marked the festival’s high point.

Concord holds the proud legacy of being Kolkata’s oldest and most prestigious inter-school cultural festival. Organized annually by Calcutta Boys’ School, the event masterfully bridges fierce competition with lifelong camaraderie, bringing together top schools from across West Bengal.

Priyanka Dutta