Bhubaneswar: The Odisha chief minister, Naveen Patnaik, Thursday felicitated the foreign sand artistes those have participated in the 5-day International Sand Art Festival, which concluded on Thursday.

As many as 121 sand artistes participated in the Festival. Six artistes from America, Canada, Russia, Ireland, Denmark and Togo created sand arts on various themes during the five day Festival.

The chief minister appraised the visiting sand artistes about the art, culture and heritage of Odisha. The tourism director presented a short video film about the Festival.

Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) chairperson Srimayee Mishra, chief advisor to chief minister R Balakrishnan and other officers were present.