New Delhi, Sep 8

Express happiness that the Zubin Mehta concert in Srinagar went off well, German Ambassador to India Michael Steiner Sunday expressed his gratitude to everyone who had made the event possible.

In a statement, Steiner said: "Last (Saturday) night, the world was guest in Kashmir. And the best of musical heritage reduced all distance to zero."

The Kashmir Concert, organised by the German Embassy, saw maestro Zubin Mehta conduct the Bavarian State Orchestra from Munich in a 90 minute musical tribute to the Kashmiris.

"This evening in historic Shalimar Bagh was unforgettable. The music enchanted us all. I am deeply moved and grateful to the Kashmiris. And I thank all those who have made the Kashmir Concert possible.

"As I always said: Security of the orchestra and all our guests was, and had to be, my first priority. With this priority in mind, I was so delighted that yesterday we could welcome 2,700 guests at Shalimar Bagh - far more than envisaged.

"All walks of life were represented yesterday night. Many came from far. We had a number of VIPs. But what made me particularly happy was the fact that the overwhelming majority of our guests were local shopkeepers, craftsmen, shawl wallahs, houseboat owners, doctors, artists, students, teachers, neighbours of Shalimar Bagh, you name it.

"Last night, the world was guest in Kashmir. And the best of musical heritage reduced all distance to zero," he said in the statement released by the German embassy here.

Around 2,700 guests as well as millions across India and Europe watched and listened live to the timeless music of Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky at the Shalimar Bagh.

By:IANS

img src: freepresskashmir.com