It was when I again interacted with Martin Wacker, MD, KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH, Pascal Rastetter, MD, KTG Karlsruhe Tourismus GmbH, and Jo Wagner, a well-known journalist and photographer and Project Manager of INDIA SUMMER DAYS in Mumbai, that the topic of promoting and covering INDIA SUMMER DAYS Karlsruhe 2025 arose. Coordinating with the efficient Sibylle Esser from KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH, I paid a visit to INDIA SUMMER DAYS, and it was a wonderful experience.

Attending the annual event, INDIA SUMMER DAYS gave me an opportunity to experience authentic India—Indian culture through music, dance, bazaars, yoga, and, naturally, the culinary delights, including our very own Vada Pav, which is globally appreciated.

Spread over three days (Friday to Sunday), this multi-day stage program with dance, live music, and shows provides many Indians the opportunity to immerse themselves in Indian culture, including the program in the Indian Village. INDIA SUMMER DAYS takes place parallel to southern Germany’s largest family festival, DAS FEST, in Karlsruhe’s Günther-Klotz-Park. This year, the “Indian Village,” expanded in size for its seventh edition, proved once more to be a major attraction and a visible symbol of the close and growing partnership between Karlsruhe and India.

The authentic cultural program offered great variety once again: from traditional Bharatanatyam and Bollywood dance to yoga workshops, cricket, and henna art—numerous stalls invited visitors to participate, experience, learn, and feel India up close. On stage, performances by groups such as Dindi Dance and Lasya Priya Fine Arts from Karlsruhe and the Revathi Dance Academy from Munich created emotional highlights.

Energized the audience with modern beats, mantra, Ravi Bhatt from Jaipur fascinated with traditional theatre, bazaar handcrafted puppets, and the featured goods and delicious Indian cuisine, including Richas Vada Pav.

Organized by KME Karlsruhe Marketing and Event GmbH together with strong partners such as the Consulate General of India, the Honorary Consulate, Indien Aktuell, and the German-Indian Society, the INDIA SUMMER DAYS offered a free, low-barrier cultural experience for all generations. “India comes alive here in Karlsruhe – with all senses,” said KME Managing Director Martin Wacker, inviting the public to fully embrace the Indian atmosphere. “This cultural bridge fosters understanding, connection, and friendship.”

INDIA SUMMER DAYS Embedded in “India Week”

Whether it was the academic cooperation between Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences and NMIMS, cultural exchanges between ZKM and the Goethe-Institutes in Pune and Mumbai, partnerships with KIT, or links between Karlsruhe’s startup scene and a hub in Hyderabad, the program reflected the city’s growing India activities. In his opening remarks, Karlsruhe’s Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup emphasized the impact of the India Board Karlsruhe, which now has around 250 members supporting bilateral engagement across science, business, education, tourism, and culture.

The next INDIA SUMMER DAYS 2026 is scheduled from 24 to 26 July 2026.

Download The Full Magazine Here.