Samosas, bhajis, curries, vegetarian delights, Indian street food, home-cooked meals and restaurant food – all was there at the two-day Indian food festival held to celebrate India’s Independence Day. And to the delight of the organizers the event turned out to be the largest, most colourful and exciting event of its kind ever held in the Belgian capital.
Accompanied by music and dances, the food event held on August 15 and 16 reminded one of an Indian fiesta back home; only this one was happening in the impressive Jubel Park in the centre of Brussels. It was at this park only when thousands of people performed yoga on the International Day of Yoga.
Famous Indian chef Sanjay Thumma was in attendance to explain the wonders of the Indian cuisine to a large, receptive gathering.
The event was organised by no-profit organisation Indian Confluence set up by a group of Indian information technology professionals working in Belgium.
Its representative Sreeman said they organised events to showcase Indian culture but also for social causes.
He said part of the money raised from the event would go to help a village his organisation had adopted in Andhra Pradesh under India’s new initiative for smart villages and cities.
Despite heavy rain on August 15, over 2,500 people visited the event, which was addressed by Indian ambassador to Belgium, Manjeev Singh Puri.
On Sunday (August 16), bright weather enabled an estimated 6,000 people of various nationalities and walks of life to attend the festival.
What also attracted the crowd was the line-up of traditional Indian dance and music – from traditional Bharatnatyam dance to martial Khattak, and from Bhangra to stunning Bollywood performances.
Stalls also sold Indian clothes and handicraft. Many queued up at the Mehendi stall for a henna tattoo on their hands or legs.
At the event, yoga workshops were also held.
Mahendra Kothari, an IT businessman and a long time resident of Brussels, said, “This is one of the biggest Indian events we have seen in Belgium in 15 years. I have never seen such a big and well organised event.”
Manzoor Ahmad, hailing from Uttar Pradesh in India but living in Belgium for 33 years, said, “I have never seen such a big gathering at an Indian event here in Brussels.”
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