'Qawwali Concert and Mango Festival' in Berlin a hit among Germans

People of Berlin were offered a scrumptious taste of Pakistani mangoes in the “Qawwali Concert and Mango Festival” organised by the Embassy of Pakistan as part of the celebrations of the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan.

Chaunsa, Achar Wala, Fajri and various other varieties of Pakistani mangoes were showcased at the festival. Pakistani cuisine made with delicious Pakistani mangoes, including mango Lassi, mango curries with chicken and mango desserts were a hit among the attendees.

Loredana Geddes, a German attending the festival, said she is fond of Pakistani mangoes and that Germany can be a big market of Pakistani mangoes. “In Germany. we find only one kind of mango but Pakistan has around 250 different varieties, which is really special and must be explored as a market with a huge demand and potential.”

The audience were mesmerised by the heart-touching performances of Pakistani Qawwal Asif Ali Khan Santu, who paid tribute to his “guru”, the Qawwali maestro Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on his 20th death anniversary. A spiritual ambience was created by the ‘Sufiana Kalam’, casting ‘wajd’ on the diverse audience.

German State Secretary Walter J. Lindner, the chief guest, while speaking with Geo News, praised the Qawwali performance. "Qawwali music is special, uplifting and spiritual and this is typical Pakistani,' he added. Also present at the meeting was Ina Ruth Luise Lepel, Director General (Asia-Pacific) and former Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan.

Ambassador Jauhar Saleem on the occasion paid rich tributes to Dr Ruth Pfau for her lifelong services for leprosy patients in Pakistan Dr Pfau was called the ‘Mother Teresa’ of Pakistan and the whole nation is indebted for her great services to humanity, he said. Saleem said that as an appreciation of her great work, she was decorated with all the major civilian medals by the Government of Pakistan and was given a state funeral.

The gala was organised to promote the soft image of Pakistan in Germany. It was attended by German parliamentarians Ambassadors, Defence Attaches, CEOs, businessmen, though a limited number of Pakistani diaspora and students living in Germany were also invited to the event.