Going beyond business summits to attract investments, Sweden will get a taste of Indian culture and films this year.
Indian Embassy in Sweden will organise a film festival 'India Unlimited' along with exhibitions on maestro Satyajit Ray and Rabindranath Tagore, Bollywood opera, Bollywood-themed party and fashion show.
"We have lined up a series of events from April till August. We are combining art, business and culture together on the same platform so that Sweden can understand India in a better way," Sanjoo Malhotra, chief executive director of 'India Unlimited', said.
Banashri Bose Harrison, Indian Ambassador to Sweden, said Indian cinema is one of the most effective ways of promoting India's image as a creative nation.
"Moreover, the films give the viewers a glimpse of India's diversity and attract them to visit the country," she said in a statement.
"I am optimistic that through 'Cinema Indien', the Indian Film Festival, that we have started as the India Unlimited platform with support from National Film Development Corporation, we will be able to create an awareness of the quality, dynamism and variety of Indian cinema," the envoy said.
The film festival will be held in Stockholm from April 21 to April 24 when around 10 films from different Indian languages will be screened.
The list includes Aparna Sen's Bengali film 'Arshinagar', Konkani film 'Nachom-ia Kumpasar', Hindi films 'Talvar', 'Island City', 'Maanjhi - The Mountain Man' among others.
Production of a Bollywood opera which will have Kathak dance and 'filmi' costumes will be promoted.
'Namaste Stockholm' and 'Namaste Gothenburg' festivals would also be organised during May-August which will showcase Indian music, art, culture, dance, fashion, cuisine and yoga.
Three bright designers would be taken to Sweden from India by NIFT to showcase their talent before an international audience.
The Indian Embassy of Sweden is promoting this platform with the objective of strengthening India-Sweden connections and partnerships in areas which benefit both countries, specially economic relations and people-to-people ties.
On the business front, a CII delegation will go from India to explore business opportunities during May 2-3, Malhotra said.
