News from Berlin

Diplomacy Through Architecture

March 12th, 2014
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News from Berlin. Capital cities often have a particular area where diplomatic residencies or the embassies themselves are located. Rarely though is this done in such an exceptional way as has been done in the embassy and government district in New Delhi, Chanakyapuri. In New Delhi the architecture of each embassy reflects the distinct culture of the represented country in an impressive way.

It was in the 1950s that the city of New Delhi decided to encourage countries that wanted to establish there embassies in the Chanakyapuri area to bring their own architects and work with the local administration on the construction of sites that often combine the diplomatic chancery, the ambassador’s residence and staff accommodation. Thanks to the inclusion of custom-made styles of architecture, you might actually believe you’ve entered an exhibition of world cultures, rather than in an embassy district.

The area was so special to Glady Abankwa-Meier-Klodt that she recently published a book about it called, Delhi's Diplomatic Domains, which describes the history of the area’s curious architecture and it’s cultural significance. As a child of Ghanaian diplomats and the wife of a German diplomat, she fully understands the conjunction between culture and diplomacy, and describes the use of this practice within the capital of India.

http://www.tagesschau.de/videoblog/dilli_dilli/dillidilli132.html

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