Kolkata to celebrate Mother’s Teresa’s canonisation with film fest, thanksgiving

Kolkata, Aug 19 (IANS) A film festival screening the biggest repertoire of films and documentaries on Mother Teresa, a Thanksgiving Eucharist and a homage by the Mamata Banerjee government are among a series of events planned in the city to celebrate her historic canonisation.

The four-day Mother Teresa International Film Festival (MTIFF), beginning August 26, will feature 23 foreign and Indian films made on or inspired by the Nobel laureate and includes three world premieres and an India premiere.

To be held at the state government-run auditorium Nandan, the fest opener is an American documentary "Mother Teresa". Besides seven Indian films, entries from USA, France, UK, Spain, Italy, Canada and Japan will be screened.

On October 2, a "Thanksgiving Holy Eucharist" followed by a civic programme will be held at the Netaji Indoor Stadium where among others, Vice President Hamid Ansari will be present.

The celebrations will culminate November 4 with the state government organising a "Homage to St. Teresa of Calcutta" where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be present.

The series of events beginning August 21 include quizzes, talk shows, symposium, and an art exhibition.

A life-size bronze statue of Mother Teresa would also be installed at the Bishop house in the city.

Mother Teresa will be canonised by Pope Francis at the Vatican on Sept 4.