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One of the largest cultural pageants in Europe:
Sri Lanka adjudged second among 84 nations
Sri Lankan dance troupe |
The procession |
The Kandyan dance troupe |
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Sri Lankan Association in Berlin achieved one of the most prestigious
place among the nations in the international city of Berlin by achieving
the second place at the Carnival of Cultures, held in the streets of
Berlin last week.
The event was viewed by millions alongside the route of the
procession and also by millions of Europeans over the live-telecast by
leading German channels.
The Sri Lankan Association was assisted by the Sri Lankan Mission in
Berlin with the contribution from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
and the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
Sri Lanka was awarded the first place among 99 countries with a
pageant led by the Channa Upuli Cultural Troupe in 2012. After a lapse
of one year, the Association, which is the oldest Sri Lankan association
in Germany, again represented the country's culture and its heritage at
the pageant, which is admired by millions alongside the route.
The first place went to the country presentation by Colombia and the
third place to Palestine. Sri Lanka is the only country representing
Asia to win this place, which was competed by many nations and
organisations.
The members of the Sri Lankan community participating in the event
were able to project its low-country and up-country dancing representing
various ethnicities among the Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Malay and Burgher
communities of Sri Lanka.
The final dancing presentation was to the tune of "Majura Wanna" with
improvised music melody to suite the occasion, backed by Kandyan
drummers among the Sri Lankan youths living in Berlin. The Majura Wanna
was performed by female dancers trained by Ms. Anjali Dissanayake.
Sri Lankan flags were carried during the entire procession to several
kilometres taking about eight hours showing the true ethnic harmony
between all communities of Sri Lanka living in Germany.
Another attractive feature was displaying of the Thumpath Rena
sculpture creation of father, mother, child elephants taken around on
the structure of a float sponsored by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Berlin,
which attracted huge enthusiasm among the gathered onlookers, because of
its unique feature connected to Sri Lanka, which no country had depicted
in this procession.
The Sri Lankan group began with the attractive float designed by the
Sri Lankan Association depicting a large image of a peacock, which won
the admiration of the Jury deciding in favour of Sri Lanka in this
event.
According to the jury, Sri Lanka was awarded the second place for its
message of harmony among the community through culture, which was the
theme of the Sri Lanka Association for this parade. In this closely
competitive jury decision, Sri Lanka won 104 points behind Colombia's
108 points, and the group from Palestine won 96 points. Some analysts
emphasised the peacock displayed as a bonding symbol between the
Buddhists and Hindus, as a symbol of harmony in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Germany Sarath Kongahage played a key role
towards the success and congratulated the Sri Lanka Association for the
great contribution they have done. He also thanked the sponsors, the Sri
Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lanka Tea Board, for their
contribution for make this success. He requested all sponsors to keep
the annual Carnival of Cultures in Berlin in mind, as the appearance of
the Sri Lanka Association was again a great contribution towards a
positive image of Sri Lanka in Germany.
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The float |
Some of the viewers |
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| The
massive gathering watching the pageant |
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