India Week Hamburg 2011

For the fourth time since 2007, Hamburg is celebrating the city's close and friendly relations with India. ‘The India Week Hamburg’ is a biannual program of events that addresses current developments in India's economy, politics, art and culture and India's relations with Hamburg and Northern Germany.

‘The India Week Hamburg’ 2011 takes place from 16 to 23 October. The event is packed with more than 40 interesting events will pay witness to the versatile relationships between India and Hamburg. During talks and panel discussions, experts will be discussing economic relations, while also addressing political and social developments in India.

The cultural program comprises screenings, concerts, dance and theatre performances, exhibitions and arts projects. During the presentation of the India Week 2011, State Councillor Wolfgang Schmidt said: "India ranks next to China as Hamburg's major Asian trading partner. But also in science, education, ecology and culture, we are maintaining a lively exchange. Relations are strong, and yet we would like to identify ways of enhancing collaboration, unearth future potential, assess potential risks, and, most importantly, discover further opportunities. The India Week is the ideal platform for addressing all these questions."

"Hamburg plays a significant role in promoting Indo-German relations in trade and economic fields, in science & technology, education & culture. India is growing at the rate of 8 per cent but still there are challenges in terms of improvement of infrastructure sector. India Week will certainly provide Hamburg businesses a window to learn a little more about the opportunities available in India and also to understand Indian culture," added Ms M. Subashini, India's Consul General in Hamburg.

Some of the projects and program will continue beyond the India Week, for instance the Yamuna-Elbe river project in New Delhi and the Bitfilm Festival in Bangalore. What is more, at the 823rd port anniversary celebrations in Hamburg in May 2012, India will present itself again as a partner country.