The Embassy of India in Rome organized a series of events for the year 2018 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two peoples and the strong ties between India and Italy. The first series of events was inaugurated at the beginning of March.
“1948-2018: Celebrating the Future” is the motto that well packs the ties of friendship between the two countries. Cultural programs, exhibitions, commercial events, and seminars will be held in several Italian cities under the title: “A celebration of the past and a promise for the future.”
An outdoor tourist promotion campaign has been launched by the Indian tourism office: city buses and over 100 billboards in the cities of Rome and Naples propose different aspects of India’s multifaceted personality, capable of offering the best to every traveler and tourist who decides to visit it.
Under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, concerts of acclaimed Indian artists have taken place in Rome and Genoa: Master of Sarod Partha Sarathi Chowdhury was organized by the India Embassy in collaboration with FIND (Foundation India-Europe for New Dialogues) in Rome and with the -CELSO-Institute of Oriental Studies in Genoa in prestigious locations.
The Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome hosted a musical event by the famous composer, Giuliana Soscia, organized by the ISMEO-International Association of Studies on the Mediterranean and the East. The concert is the result of the “Giuliana Soscia Indo-Jazz Project” conceptualized by the artist on the occasion of the 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Italy.
A short 2-day cultural festival will stage the Sangam in between India-Italy: A confluence of art forms and artists from both India and Italy scheduled in Rome at the Teatro di Villa Torlonia.
The festival is a set of various forms of Indian artistic traditions and their encounter with Italy. Italian artists with an Indian heart, and Indian artists who have made Italy their second home, will perform for 2 days, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Italy.
Another event will be dedicated to dance: More than 10 artists will unite to offer a sort of rich bouquet of the various Indian artistic styles.
Classic Odissi dance pieces from the Odisha state transport to the rhythm of the Kathak will be done, along with dance form originating in the state of Uttar Pradesh, which surprisingly will blend with the Flamenco. The steps of the vibrant and vigorous Bhangra dal Punjab, one of North India’s best-known folk dances, will then introduce the modern Bollywood that will culminate in a hug with the musical traditions of Italian folk.
India and Italy will meet on the notes of traditional music via 3 artists and 3 musical instruments: The percussions of the tabla, the strings of the sitar, and the gentle vibrations of the Bansuri flute.
This cultural confluence between India and Italy will continue to be the leitmotif of celebrations throughout the year.
A publication will collect rare and precious reproductions of images and texts of stories of travelers who visited India and the neighboring regions between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries. The material will be selected from the manuscripts and materials available in ancient collections hosted by the Angelica Library by field specialists and will be presented in May in Rome.
The focus of the celebrations for the 70th anniversary will be a great performance of dance and music at the Teatro Argentina in the first half of June followed by the celebrations of Yoga Day (June 21) throughout the country.
Information on scheduled events is available on the Embassy website and on social media channels. Participation in concerts is free.
