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The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at Paramaribo is oldest Indian Cultural Centre of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in South America. It was established in 1978, just two years after India established its bilateral relations with Suriname in 1976. The Centre is based in a country where there is a large concentration of people of Indian Origin as such the activities of the centre are quite popular and much in demand. The Centre promotes bilateral cultural linkages between India and Suriname by organizing cultural programmes, cultural seminars, workshops and trainings engaging India based Gurus professionals and trainers for Yoga, Hindi, Indian Classical and Vocal Music and Indian Dances viz; Kathak. It places special emphasis on working with local cultural organizations promoting Indian culture. It also runs Hindi classes for Indians and other foreign nationals staying in Suriname to help them learn the local Hindi language. All the activities promoted are of socio-cultural nature such as lectures, Workshops, round table discussions and workshops on subjects related to India such as Yoga, Meditation, Gandhi an philosophy, Ayurveda, Indian traditions, spirituality, culture, history, architecture, India tourism promotion, peace culture, etc.
The Centre has a well stocked Library and Resource Centre housing an interesting collection of books on Indian history, spirituality, Yoga, polity, economy, art and culture. It also has an exciting collection of books on contemporary Indian literature and has a wide range of Video and CD collection of documentaries and Bollywood movies. There is a large reference section with encyclopedias, dictionaries. While the bulk of the books are in Hindi and English. Members are allowed to borrow two books for a period of two weeks.
Located in the prestigious area of Howardstraat in the capital city of Paramaribo, The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre is at the heart of the cultural life of Paramaribo, offering a wide and interesting range of cultural services and performances to its patrons. It is spread over two floors housing a multipurpose hall, auditorium with stage, a library, separate room for classes in Hindi, Music and dance. It has a small kitchen also. The centre charged a nominal fee for its Hindi, Music, Yoga and dance classes. All events held at the Centre are free of charge and open to the general public.
While hosting leading artistes and cultural troupes from India, the Indian Cultural Centre also offers its premises for suitable use by the local artistes, academics, writers and performers for furthering India-Suriname cultural relations.
Director: Sh. Somveer Arya (Second Secretary)
Address: Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre
239, DR. SOPHIE REDMONDSTRAAT,
POST BOX NO. 1329, PARAMARIBO (SURINAME)
TEL: (+597) 498344/531448/531449
Email: svcc suriname <svcc[dot]suriname[at]gmail[dot]com>,
amboffice[dot]paramaribo[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in,
hoc[dot]paramaribo[at]mea[dot]gov[dot]in, svcc[dot]pbm[at]gmail[dot]com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SVCC.Paramaribo Website:www.iccsur.org