Zubin Mehta concert brought Kashmir back on agenda: German

The recent concert of Zubin Mehta has brought Kashmir back on the agenda not only in the sub-continent but also internationally, German Ambassador Micheal Steiner said today but made it clear that it should not be linked to issues related to conflict zones.
Steiner, who was instrumental in organising the concert earlier this month, maintained German's position on Kashmir remains unchanged and his country is in favour of political talks and a solution to the issue.
"The concert has brought back Kashmir on the agenda not only in the sub-continent but also internationally as well in both elements that there is beauty as well as the reality," Steiner told reporters.

He said the concert was a cultural event and there was no intent on the part of Germany to "legitimise anything" or politicise the event.
"It was a stunning success for all those who participated, including the Embassy, the orchestra, the local government and the Kashmiris. We do not legitimise anything, our President wanted to give it a patronage but we didn't do it since we did not want to politicise the event," he added.
"We could not have done a "Woodstock event". Not the slightest incident happened and the one which was mixed was a disgrace to the dead as it happened 50 kms away. It was a fantastic event. It was not a peace concernt but a cultural event which reached out to the people of Kashmir," Steiner said.

He said the concert witnessed 2,700 guests who were mainly common Kashmiris. "It was really heart-warming to see the Kashmiris' reactions. We had live broadcasting to more than 50 countries of the world. Doordarshan broadcast for the first time in High Definition. We have been flooded by positive response", he said.
Steiner said the German Embassy will organise the original October festival in its Embassy starting next week. The festival here will have original beer and food and original music and eight musicians will come, he said.