Financial Times

Odel to celebrate Avurudu in style
As is customary, to celebrate another festive season, Odel last week dressed the store in a traditional Sinhala Avurudu theme.

This season the chic and fashionable department store created an atmosphere for its patrons to experience the traditional essence in the true spirit of the Sinhala Aluth Avurudu, the store said in a statement.

Each year Odel creates a new store shopping experience – equivalent to the fashion capitals of the world – during the internationally celebrated festive season of Christmas.

But the top retail store in the country has not forgotten the Sri Lankan traditions as it has an annual theme for the local Aluth Avurudu season as well.

“This transformation of the retail giant during April season is an example of how even the most sophisticated and the stylish could appreciate the traditions and the cultural heritage of Sri Lanka, and celebrate national festivals in unity and harmony.

It sets an example to demonstrate that internationalisation does not mean, forgetting the localness. Odel believes that tradition should be preserved and appreciated no matter how trendy you are,” the store said. This year all customers were welcomed with the traditional “Ayubowan” greeting by staff members.

All male staff were dressed in colourful sarongs in keeping with the usual traditions and all customers invited to look out for mannequins decorated with large Kokis shaped halos, Kavun mountains and Kiribath decorations.
In addition ODEL had lots of goodies for the season, as well with a variety of gift ideas.

One of the main attractions this year was an Avurudu Bullock Cart filled with traditional sweetmeats, as well as other gifts such as sarongs, shirts and cheeththa material which are ideal for the season. The store statement said that next to the Christmas seasonal campaign, Avurudu is the biggest on the Odel calendar.

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