The Casa de la India, India House, was constituted in Valladolid, Spain, on March 17th , 2003, as a cultural foundation and counts as its founding entities the Government of India, through the Indian Embassy in Spain, Valladolid City Council and the University of Valladolid.
At present there are two cultural centres supported by the Indian Government in Western Europe: one in London (Nehru Centre) and the other in Berlin (Tagore Zentrum ), with which Casa de la India shares its objectives, although under a different legal formula. Casa de la India in Valladolid has therefore been set up with the aim of becoming the focal point for bilateral and multilateral relations with India in Southern Europe.
The Casa de la India Foundation has its head office in a building dating from the beginning of the 20th century located in calle Puente Colgante nº 13 in Valladolid. Most of the foundation's activities, as a centre for the difusion of Indian culture in Spain as well as a platform for relations and cooperation between both countries in different areas of activity, are organised from this building which was inaugurated on November 11th 2006.
Objectives
The aim of the Casa de la India is to cover the new cultural, social, academic, institutional and economic needs of the 21st century in the relations between India and Spain. It is, therefore, a platform for India to make itself known in Spain as regards its great economic, scientific-technological and cultural potential, to facilitate a greater exchange and dialogue between the nations of Spain and India and, similarly, to promote activities which may increase the presence of Spain in India.
The Casa de la India Foundation has as its general aim the establishment of a centre for the promotion and dissemination of Indian culture from its base in Valladolid, as well as the organisation of cultural, institutional and training activities for this end.
The objectives of Casa de la India are centred in three main areas:
1. Culture
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A regular and varied programme of traditional and contemporary artistic performances from India, dance, theatre, music, literature, photography, plastic arts, cinema, video-documentaries, etc.
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Workshops and courses
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Exchanges and artists' residencies
2. Education and Training
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Library
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Academic courses in collaboration with the University of Valladolid
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Seminars and lectures
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Academic meetings
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Inter-university collaboration
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Escuela de la India, India School, for children
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Permanent Performing Arts and Music Seminar "Kalasangam"
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Scholarships, lectureships and stipends
- Publications, etc.
3. Co-operation: Civil Society and the Business World
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The formation of bilateral groups of experts and the Spain-India Dialogue Forum as organs of mediation between the diverse sectors of civil society, NGO's, economic bodies, chambers of commerce, universities and research centres in Valladolid, Spain, Europe and India
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Training programmes for co-operation in India based on social initiatives
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Activities to promote corporate relations: meetings, seminars, business courses, delegations
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IndiaNet, a virtual platform which will serve as an instrument for collaboration and information about India and Spain
