Lanka adds colour to Carnival of Cultures in Berlin

BERLIN: The Sri Lanka Association in Berlin with the assistance of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin and the Sri Lanka Tourist Board organised Sri Lanka's participation at the 12th Berlin Karneval der Kulturer, (Carnival of Cultures Festival) and the Street Parade from May 25 to 28.

The Berlin Carnival is one of the most attractive and colourful street parades in Europe. The main attraction of the Karneval is the street parade which covers 3.5 km and is seen by nearly a million who line up the roads in addition to the television viewers across Germany.

The Berlin Karneval has become a major multi-cultural attraction in spring. There were more than 70 Nations participating this year.

Sri Lanka's float carried a Naga-Raksha mask and was decorated with drawings of carvings depicting Sri Lanka's heritage and charm.

Children dressed in traditional costumes representing four major communities in Sri Lanka showed the country's cultural diversity and ethnic harmony.

The highlight of the parade was the chance to see spectacular cultural performances by Channa-Upuli. The performances were a mixture of traditional and modern dances which captivated the viewers. Sri Lankans who are in Germany dressed in traditional dresses made the event more colourful.

Prior to the Street Parade, the Sri Lanka dance troupe performed at the Street Festival on May 26 in the Eurasia Stage which was well received.

Nine hundred artistes from different parts of the world participated at four different stages at the Street Festival.

An information stand at the Festival ground was set up by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board and visitors were given tourist information. The aim of this collective endeavour was to showcase Sri Lanka's culture and promote its image in Germany and Europe.