Successful Conclusion of the Third India Week Hamburg

HAMBURG, Germany - Over the weekend at the end of India Week Hamburg 2009, about 260 German and Indian guests celebrated Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, at the Hamburg House. For ten days, the Hanseatic city was entirely dedicated to India. Many citizens of Hamburg and Indian guests attended approximately 30 events on Indian culture and on economic and political ties the Hanseatic city has with the Indian subcontinent. At the conclusion of India Week, the 7th South Asia Day takes place on November 14 at the University of Hamburg.

“So much of India is in Hamburg,” the headline of a Hamburg newspaper states, which points out the broad spectrum of events of the third India Week in the Hanseatic city. Numerous cultural events with traditional Indian dance and movies, concerts and exhibitions displayed the richness of this culture, which fascinates Europeans. Economic relations and current developments in India were also on the program. Lectures, conferences and workshops provided information about economic and political issues, such as India after the elections, port industries, renewable energy, life sciences and the prospects of enhanced cooperation.

“The friendship and cooperation between Germany and India is not only based on foreign trade and economy, but also on the mutual knowledge and understanding of the cultural traditions of our countries,” emphasised Mayor Ole von Beust at the Senate Reception at the Town Hall at the opening of India Week, which was also attended by the Indian Ambassador Sudhir Vyas who came from Berlin to Hamburg. Moreover, a group of Indian journalists as well as several business delegations visited the Hanseatic city, led by Krishan Kalra, Secretary General of the largest Chamber of Industry and Commerce of India.

In the future, India Week will be held every two years in Hamburg. To further strengthen the relationship, a delegation of the Department for Culture, Sports and Media led by State Councilman Dr. Nicholas Hill, will be travelling on November 8 for talks in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Delhi. And at the conclusion of India Week, the Asia-Africa Institute of the University of Hamburg organises the 7th South Asia Day on November 14. The program includes the role of the middle class in South Asia (economically, politically, socially) whilst looking into forms and traditions of theatre in South Asia. More information about the program is available at www.suedasien-tag.uni-hamburg.de

For more information, and free pictures, go to www.india-week-hamburg.org

Contact details: Hamburg Marketing GmbH www.marketing.hamburg.de Anette Boos, Media Relations Habichtstrasse 41, D-22305 Hamburg, Germany Telefon:+49-40-41-11-10 - 620 anette.boos@marketing.hamburg.de

Source: Hamburg Marketing GmbH

Hamburg Marketing GmbH, Anette Boos, Media Relations, Habichtstrasse 41, D-22305 Hamburg, Germany, Telefon:+49-40-41-11-10 - 620, anette.boos at marketing.hamburg.de