Last Wednesday, the Audimax at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences was transformed into a sea of color, music and dance: for the second time, Indian students organized the “Schmaldiwali” festival of lights with Catharina Wassink. The “Indian Community” of Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, the largest of the international student groups, presented the rich diversity of their culture on this evening and delighted the audience with a varied program.
The Mayor of Schmalkalden Thomas Kaminski, University President Prof. Gundolf Baier and Vice President Prof. Uwe Hettler were warmly welcomed into the festivities at the start of the ceremony as part of a short Indian ceremony. A red dot was placed on their foreheads as a symbolic sign of honor and connection to Indian culture.
Students in traditional dress presented classical Indian dances that radiated grace and liveliness. Some groups danced in colorful saris and rousing movements, while others delighted the audience with modern choreographies and hip-hop elements. The joy and dedication with which the students celebrated their culture in the two-hour performance was palpable in every dance step, every pose and every song.
The audience in the packed Audimax not only witnessed the diversity of dance and music, but also enjoyed the culinary delights that were specially prepared for the festival, followed by a dinner. The Schmaldiwali festival also provided a good platform for the Indian student community to interact with other students and guests from Schmalkalden.
The perfect organization by Rushant Narula and Sagar Patil, the warm atmosphere and the many participants made this second edition of the Schmaldiwali an unforgettable evening. With this event, Schmalkalden University has once again proven to be a place of cultural encounters and academic exchange and has impressively strengthened the bridge between different cultures.
