STOCKHOLM, Aug 26: The 10th anniversary of Namaste Stockholm, Sweden’s largest recurring celebration of Indian culture, brought together more than 18,000 visitors, over 500 local performers and 100 student volunteers, showcasing the strengthening cultural and people to people links between India and Sweden.
The festival was organised by India Unlimited in association with the Embassy of India in Sweden and its partners at Kungsträdgården in central Stockholm. This year’s edition was held under the theme, “Celebrating Friendship, Culture, Community & Diversity – Bringing Sweden and India Together.”
The celebrations offered visitors a wide ranging experience of Indian traditions through music, dance, yoga, cuisine, handicrafts and live cultural performances. Indian and Swedish artists also joined hands for several collaborative programmes, reflecting the cultural exchange between the two countries.
Among the major attractions were Water Down Ganga by Kathakkompaniet, a fusion presentation by the Indian Youth Orchestra of Kulturskolan Stockholm, North Indian classical music by Palace on Wheels and Opera à la Bollywood, featuring opera singer Charlotta Huldt.
Yoga sessions were conducted by Swami Jyothirmayah of The Art of Living. Young artists from the International School of the Stockholm Region, Kulturskolan Stockholm, Blackebergs Gymnasium and Uppsala Indian Choir were also part of the programme.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard congratulated the organisers on reaching the festival’s 10 year milestone and highlighted its contribution to strengthening relations between the people of India and Sweden.
“Our countries share a strong and long-standing partnership, built on mutual trust, shared values and a common commitment to innovation and sustainable growth,” Stenergard said.
She noted that approximately 300 Swedish companies operate in India, providing direct employment to more than 220,000 people and contributing to over two million indirect jobs throughout the value chain. More than 70 Indian companies, meanwhile, have established operations in Sweden.
According to the Swedish foreign minister, the countries’ strengthened strategic partnership has scope for greater collaboration in areas including healthcare, green industries, digitalisation, defence and space technology.
Indian Ambassador to Sweden Anurag Bhushan described the anniversary as a reflection of the deepening relationship between the two nations.
“Today, India’s civilizational heritage comes alive on the streets of Stockholm, through its traditions, its taste and its textiles,” Bhushan said. He added that cultural initiatives such as the festival help reinforce the human connections that form an important foundation of bilateral relations.
A dedicated bazaar at the event displayed Indian handicrafts and textiles, including products associated with the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. The food court presented a variety of vegetarian and vegan Indian dishes, ranging from chaat, rolls and samosas to tandoori preparations, kulchas, dosas and idlis.
The organisers also maintained a sustainability oriented approach through the food offerings and wider festival activities.
India Unlimited CEO Sanjoo Malhotra said the event was launched in 2015 to introduce Swedish audiences to Indian culture, cuisine and crafts while also promoting India as a tourism destination.
“Today, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we are proud to say that this festival has brought together the people of Sweden and India as a community through a language of culture and belonging,” Malhotra said.
India Unlimited was established in Sweden in 2013 as a platform aimed at promoting stronger links between the two countries through culture, innovation, business and people-to-people engagement.
Its initiatives include Namaste Stockholm and India Sweden Innovation Day, which seek to create further opportunities for interaction and collaboration between Indian and Swedish communities.