Shyam Benegal during the filmin (source: Jana Liptáková)
IT MAY or may be not surprising that India has many fans in Slovakia, many of whom are grouped around Ladislav Volko and the Bratislava-based India Club. Its members work to spread the word about India, its culture and its people among Slovaks and to initiate cultural exchanges that demonstrate their fascination with this faraway, exotic country.
In 2013 many activities were focused on literature. “Recently, the India Club prepared – in cooperation with the Slovak PEN Centre - two literary meetings: the presentation of the book of poems by Dezider Banga Slniečkové Deti, Le Khamo-reskere Čhavora (Sunny Children), attended by the author, who read his poems in the Roma language, and by actor Štefan Bučko, who recited the poems in Slovak,” Volko told The Slovak Spectator.
“We also prepared the Evening of Indian Poetry and Music with an Indian poet, critic and translator, Vishnu Khare, who read his verses in Hindi, and poet Eva Luka, who read her translation of his poetry,“ Volko said. “For 2014, we are preparing e-vents focused on the issue of Ayurveda; the traditional ce-lebration of the festival of lights, Holi, with Indian din-ner and dances; and the Mee-ting with Indian Artists.”
