Presentation of UC3M India Week
“Five Centuries of Dialogue: From the Court of Akbar to the Spain-India Dual Year 2026”

Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Duration: Approximately 75 minutes
Location: Casa Asia. Palacio de Cañete, 69 Mayor St. 28013 Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Organized by: Carlos III University of Madrid
In collaboration with: Casa Asia, Casa de la India, and the Indian Embassy in Spain
Language: Spanish
Carlos III University of Madrid presents “UC3M India Week” at Casa Asia, a program organized by the university in collaboration with cultural and diplomatic institutions linked to India, and curated by Michele Curnis and Manuel Hidalgo, associate vice rectors for Culture and Internationalization, respectively.
The event will take place on Thursday, September 24, at 6:00 p.m., at Casa Asia, with free admission until capacity is reached.
The presentation will feature institutional representatives from Carlos III University of Madrid, Casa Asia, Casa de la India, and the Indian Embassy in Spain —the latter pending confirmation. Following the institutional opening remarks, Carmen Bedoya, Programming Coordinator at Casa Asia, will deliver the lecture “Five Centuries of Dialogue: From the Court of Akbar to the Spain-India Dual Year 2026.”
The session will serve as a public introduction to UC3M India Week and will help contextualize the program within a long history of cultural, intellectual, and diplomatic relations between Spain and India, with a special focus on the Spain-India Dual Year 2026.
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Roots That Migrate, Rhythms That Return
Kathak dance, flamenco, and poetry between India and Spain

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Plaza de la Cultura, in front of the Federico García Lorca Theater. Getafe
Format: street performance
Access: free
In collaboration with: Ayuntamiento de Getafe
As part of the UC3M India Week, the Shreyashee Nag Dance Company presents “Migrating Roots, Returning Rhythms”, a street performance that will take place on Friday, September 25, at 8:00 p.m., at the Plaza de la Cultura in Getafe, in front of the Federico García Lorca Theater.
This event is part of the QK Fest (Street Culture Festival) program and is organized in collaboration with the Ayuntamiento de Getafe, which is joining UC3M India Week by inviting the city’s residents to actively participate in this cultural program.
Inspired by the writings of Rabindranath Tagore and Federico García Lorca, the piece explores the encounter between East and West through dance, rhythm, and memory. The work evokes an emotional journey and pays tribute to those who have left their homeland behind, carrying with them a longing for home, the memory of their roots, and the search for new places to belong.
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Things to Do in Getafe

→ India’s Growth Story. Opening lecture of UC3M India Week
Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Lecture: approximately 45 minutes long
Location: Aula Magna. Getafe Campus. Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: English
“India’s Growth Story” officially kicks off UC3M India Week with a lecture by H.E. Jayant N. Khobragade, India’s Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, on India’s transformation and growth and its growing presence on the international stage.
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Following the opening lecture of UC3M India Week, the Patio de las Promociones will become, starting at 1:30 p.m., an open space where you can experience Indian culture through dance, literature, traditions, and cuisine. All events are free and open to the public. Come feel the rhythm, get creative, sample some food, and celebrate India’s rich culture during an afternoon open to the entire university community and the general public.
→ From the Ganges to the Mediterranean · Kathak dance with live music.
Shreyashee Nag stars in a Kathak dance performance accompanied live by Amit Mishra on tabla, Ankit Mishra on sarangi, and Amol Gandharva on classical Hindustani vocal music. A journey from the banks of the Ganges to the Mediterranean through rhythm, gesture, and expression. Start time: 2:30 p.m. Due to the rain forecast, the performance has been moved from the Patio de las Promociones to the Aula Magna in the Rector’s Office. It will begin immediately following the opening lecture.
More information
→ One Word, One Bookmark · Writing in Hindi
Discover Devanagari, learn to write a word in Hindi, and take it home with you as a bookmark. A hands-on activity organized in collaboration with the Language Center of the Carlos III University Foundation. Start time: 1:30 p.m.
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→ Mehndi · The Art of Henna
An open activity to discover Mehndi and explore traditional designs made with henna, one of the most recognizable forms of decorative art in Indian culture. Time: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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→ Flavors of India
The celebration culminates with a tasting of Kaju Katli, a traditional sweet made from cashews, and Mango Lassi, one of the most popular beverages in Indian cuisine. Start time: 2:30 p.m. The tasting will take place after the Kathak dance performance with live music, outside the Aula Magna of the Rector’s Office.

→ Indian Performing Arts Workshop: Physical and Expressive Principles of Bharatanatyam and Kathakali
Taught by Mónica de la Fuente · Casa de la India
Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Room 16.S.02, below the cafeteria. Getafe Campus. Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: Free event. Advance registration is required through the UC3M Activities Passport.
Credit-bearing activity
More information and registration

→ Contemporary Indian Cinema: Lecture by Bina Paul + Screening of *Victoria*
Date: Monday, September 28, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Colegio Mayor – Fernando de los Ríos Student Residence. Av. de las Ciudades, 1. 28903 Getafe, Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: Lecture in English
Screening: Original version in Malayalam with Spanish subtitles
Bina Paul, one of the leading figures in India’s audiovisual sector, will give a lecture on contemporary cinema in her country, followed by a screening of *Victoria* (Sivaranjini, 2024), which won awards at the Kerala and Shanghai film festivals. This session offers an opportunity to discover the diversity of Indian cinema through both professional insights and on-screen experiences.
Activity with Credit Recognition
More information

Things to Do in Getafe

→ Roundtable Discussion: “Beyond the Stay: Success Stories of A4U Spain–India Mobility Programs”
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Building 14, Concepción Arenal, Room 14.0.11, Getafe Campus
A roundtable discussion on the impact of the A4U Spain–India mobility programs through the Erasmus+ KA171 program. Former participants will share how these exchanges have influenced their research, teaching, and professional careers, along with key insights on how to access new opportunities for bilateral scientific cooperation.
Activity eligible for academic credit
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→ Tagore and Lorca. Kathak Dance with Shreyashee Nag
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Time: 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Courtyard, across from the cafeteria. Getafe Campus. Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: free. Performance in an open-air space on campus; no prior registration required.
Shreyashee Nag presents a short Kathak dance piece inspired by Rabindranath Tagore and Federico García Lorca, transforming their texts into movement and creating an artistic dialogue between India and Spain. The performance will serve as an introduction to the roundtable discussion on literature scheduled to follow.
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→ Roundtable Discussion: “India on Paper: Contemporary Literature, Languages, and Translation.”
Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Schedule: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Building 14, Concepción Arenal, Room 14.0.11, Getafe Campus
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: Spanish/English
Contemporary Indian literature reflects the country’s extraordinary linguistic, cultural, and social diversity. This roundtable discussion will address some of its main trends, the role of translation and publishing, and the circulation of authors and works beyond their contexts of origin, with a special focus on their reception in Spain and the Hispanic world. Moderated by David Conte Imbert, with the participation of Vibha Maurya, professor of Hispanic Philology at the University of Delhi; Guillermo Rodríguez Martín, director of Casa de la India; and Dolores Herrero Granado, from the University of Zaragoza.
Activity with Credit Recognition
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Things to Do in Leganés

→ Mini-workshop on traditional Indian cuisine, colors, and spices
Schedule: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Kitchen of the Auditorium cafeteria. Leganés Campus. Carlos III University of Madrid
Seats: 12
Price: University community: 15 euros / General public: 25 euros
This mini-workshop offers a practical and hands-on introduction to traditional Indian cuisine led by Anamika Das, an Indian cooking instructor. Through preparing and tasting various recipes, participants will discover the use of spices, the balance of flavors, the importance of sauces and side dishes, and the sensory richness of a cuisine characterized by its aromas, colors, and textures.
Activity eligible for academic credit
More information and registration

Things to Do in Puerta de Toledo

→ Conference: “The Origin and Development of the Hindi Language.” (From Sanskrit to Hindi)
Schedule: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Room 0.A.10, Madrid Campus – Puerta de Toledo, Carlos III University of Madrid
Language: English
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
The lecture will be given by Jyoti Sharma, full professor in the Hindi Department of the ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) at the University of Valladolid. This event is organized in collaboration with Casa de la India and the ICCR.
Event eligible for academic credit
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→ Kathakali: Puthanam Moksham
Schedule: 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Auditorium. Madrid-Puerta de Toledo Campus. Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached.
The Company Margi Kathakali presents Puthanam Moksham, one of the most frequently performed works of the Kathakali, a traditional form of dance theater originating in the state of Kerala, in southern India. The event is held in collaboration with House of India.
Credit-bearing activity
More information and registration

Things to Do in Leganés

→ Yoga Masterclass with Apeksha Bajaj
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Hours: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Linoleum Room , Auditorium. Leganés Campus.
Admission: 20 spots. Free advance registration required.
Language: English
A masterclass in traditional yoga and meditation with Apeksha Bajaj, a teacher sent to Spain by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The session will combine postures, breathing, and meditation techniques to promote physical balance, emotional regulation, and concentration.
More information and registration

Things to Do in Puerta de Toledo

→ Roundtable Discussion: “India and the New Geopolitical Order”
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Schedule: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Salón de Grados. Madrid-Puerta de Toledo Campus. Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: English / bilingual
Roundtable discussion on India’s role in the new geopolitical order and the evolution of its relations with Spain. Moderated by Paloma Puente Lozano, associate director of the Department of Humanities: Philosophy, Language, and Literature at UC3M, with the participation of Juan Antonio March Pujol, Spanish ambassador to India; Eva Borreguero Sancho, Assistant Professor with a Ph.D. at the Complutense University of Madrid; and Vicente Palacio Oteyza, Director of the Foreign Policy Observatory at the Alternativas Foundation; Uday Bhaskar, analyst and specialist in Indian security, defense, and foreign policy; and Sumitha Narayanan Kutty, visiting fellow and lecturer at King’s College London—the latter two participating online.
Credit-bearing event
More information

Things to Do in Colmenarejo

→ Roundtable Discussion: “Philosophy and Religion in India”
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Schedule: 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: 2.1.05 Salón de Grados. Menéndez Pidal Building. Colmenarejo Campus
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: Spanish
The roundtable discussion “Philosophy and Religion in India” will bring together specialists in Indian culture, thought, and religions to explore how philosophy is understood in the Indian tradition, its historical relationship with religion, and some of its major questions: the conception of the human being, the cosmos, and the Absolute; consciousness; meditation; the status of women; contemporary spiritual teachers; and the development of Indian studies in Spanish. The session will be moderated by Vicente Merlo Lillo, Ph.D. in Philosophy, writer, and scholar of Indian culture and religions, and will feature the participation of Raquel Ferrández Formoso, co-founder of the Society for Yoga and Philosophy and professor at UNED; Juan Arnau Navarro, a scholar and popularizer of Indian religious culture at the University of Granada; Óscar Figueroa, a Sanskrit philologist at UNAM in Mexico; and Manjula Balakrishnan, who holds a Ph.D. in English Philology from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.
Course for Which Academic Credit Is Awarded
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Things to Do in Getafe

→ Roundtable Discussion: “India’s Advantage: Transformation and Opportunities for Spain”
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Building 14, Concepción Arenal, Room 14.0.11, Getafe Campus
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: English
Roundtable discussion on India’s economic and business transformation and the opportunities it presents for Spain, with a special focus on economic relations, innovation, and tourism. Moderated by Ayesha Morshed Safya, professor at UC3M, with the participation of Sudhanshu Karandikar Mone, strategy and management consultant; Elena Orland Palazuelos, regional minister of tourism and director of the Spanish Tourist Office in Mumbai; Esther Ayuso Gil, Director of Europe and Innovation at ROADIS; Saurabh Gurnurkar, Managing Director of Uquifa Sciences; and Dr. Gita Bajaj, Director of Rotatek Printing & Packaging Technologies, S.L.
Activity with Credit Recognition
More information

Things to Do in Puerta de Toledo

→ Bharatanatyam: Performance and introductory workshop on classical Indian dance. With Karunya Srinivasan
Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Performance: 2:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Free admission until capacity is reached.
Location: Telepresence Room (1.A09). Madrid-Puerta de Toledo Campus.
Introductory workshop: 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advance registration is required (free of charge).
Location: Telepresence Room (1.A09). Madrid-Puerta de Toledo Campus.
A Bharatanatyam presentation featuring Karunya Srinivasan that combines a brief performance open to the public with a hands-on introductory workshop on this classical dance form from southern India. An opportunity to discover its language of movement, rhythm, gesture, and expression—first as spectators and then through physical experience.
Course for Which Academic Credit Is Awarded
More information and pre-workshop registration

Things to Do in Getafe

→ Academic Debate Tournament: AI and Its Ethical and Legal Implications.
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Schedule: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Building 14, Concepción Arenal, Room 14.0.11, Getafe Campus
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: Spanish
The UC3M Debate Society is hosting a live academic debate on the ethical and legal implications of Artificial Intelligence. Two teams will present their arguments on a key question: whether AI is a driver of progress or a technology capable of affecting privacy, autonomy, and rights. On this occasion, the audience will serve as the jury and decide which team is more persuasive.
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→ Ethics as the “red button” of AI
Should ethics be the boundary that defines how far the application and development of Artificial Intelligence can go?
Date: Friday , October 2, 2026
Time: 12 :00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Building 14, Concepción Arenal, Room 14.0.11, Getafe Campus
Admission: Free until capacity is reached
Language: Spanish
How far should Artificial Intelligence go, and who should set its limits? Moderator: Lorena Sánchez Romero, science journalist, Head of Science and Events Coordinator at The Conversation. Panelists: Juanita del Pilar Pedraza Córdoba, full professor of Public State Law at UC3M, specializing in AI ethics and regulation; Antonio Mosquera Rodríguez, AI Lead Service Operations at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Spain; Albert Banchs, professor of Telematics Engineering at UC3M and director of IMDEA Networks, an expert in network and communications technologies; and Abdullah X, founder and president of Project AWARE, specializing in AI security and governance, who will participate online.
Activity with Credit Recognition
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→ Bollywood and Bhangra Workshop
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Palmira Pla Auditorium, Residencia de Estudiantes / Gregorio Peces-Barba College. Avenida de Federica de Montseny, 1. 28903 Getafe, Madrid
Admission: Free event. Advance registration is required through the UC3M Activities Passport
A hands-on workshop to discover two of India’s most vibrant folk dances: Bhangra, with Jasvinder Singh, and Bollywood, with Sneha Mistri. A session filled with rhythm, energy, and physical expression that will allow participants to explore both styles through practice.
Credit-Earning Activity
More information and registration

Things to Do in Leganés

→ Roundtable: “A True Game Changer: Discover India’s Tech Boom”
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Rey Pastor Building . Library Meeting Room (3.3B01). Leganés Campus . Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Language: Spanish / English
Roundtable discussion on India’s technology boom and the keys to its growing leadership in innovation, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, digital infrastructure, and space exploration. Moderated by David Expósito Singh, with panelists Carmen Peláez Moreno, Shreya Nag (HCLTech), Karunya Srinivasan (UC3M), Arundhati Banerjee ( NVIDIA), Sidharth Deb, and Sudhanshu Karandikar Mone.
Activity eligible for academic credit
More information

→ Gandhi Jayanti. Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi, Nonviolence, and the Enduring Relevance of His Legacy
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Approximate duration: 30 minutes
Location: Salón de Grados Auditorium. Leganés Campus. Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Priority: Priority access to attend the Bhakti show at the Auditorium.
Language: Spanish
To mark Gandhi Jayanti, the annual commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, UC3M India Week joins in honoring him with a presentation by Rubén Campos, a specialist in India and nonviolent political movements. An exploration of his philosophy, the role of nonviolence, and the enduring relevance of his legacy, serving as a prelude to the closing performance *Bhakti: Poetry of the Body*.
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→ Bhakti: Poetry of the Body. From Bharatanatyam to Contemporary Dance. Mónica de la Fuente Dance Company
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Auditorium, Leganés Campus, Carlos III University of Madrid
Admission: Free admission until capacity is reached
Priority: Priority access will be given to those attending the tribute to Mahatma Gandhi being held in the Salón de Grados
Approximate duration: 60 minutes
Bhakti: Poetry of the Body offers a journey from the classical Bharatanatyam dance to contemporary forms of expression, in dialogue with the Indian devotional tradition and the poetry of St. John of the Cross, José Ángel Valente, and Chantal Maillard. The Mónica de la Fuente Company transforms words, gestures, and movement into a poetic and sensory experience.
Activity for which credit is awarded and which requires prior registration
More information and registration

During UC3M India Week, the program will also extend to other aspects of campus life. Thanks to the collaboration of the Office of the Vice Rector for Student Affairs and the Carlos III University Foundation, the campus cafeterias and student residence halls will include a selection of traditional Indian dishes.

In addition, in collaboration with the campus libraries, a representative selection of Indian books and films, designed for those who wish to continue exploring India’s culture, history, thought, and contemporary creative works.

• Office of the Vice President for Communication, Culture, and Transparency
• Office of the Vice President for Internationalization

• Embassy of India, Madrid, Spain
• Casa de la India Foundation.
• Casa Asia
• Carlos III University Foundation
• Ayuntamiento de Getafe
• Ayuntamiento de Leganés

• Carlos III University of Madrid
  → Getafe Campus
  → Leganés Campus
  → Colmenarejo Campus
  → Madrid Campus – Puerta de Toledo
• Palmira Pla Auditorium. Gregorio Peces-Barba University Residence Hall in Getafe. Av. de Federica Montseny 1, 28903 Getafe, Madrid
• Casa Asia. Palacio de Cañete, Calle Mayor 69, Centro, 28013 Madrid
• Plaza de la Cultura, across from the Federico García Lorca Theater. Getafe

If you are a member of the UC3M student body, you can attend many of the activities during UC3M India Week can count toward your Activities Passport, which allows students to earn 1 elective credit.

To be eligible to apply for this certification, you must have accumulated 20 hours of participation throughout the academic year 2026–2027, by participating in activities from the available catalog. All information regarding how the passport works, the requirements, and the procedure for applying for credit can be found on the Activities Passport page.

Remember that you must register in advance for any activities you want to count toward your passport. Once you’ve registered, on the day of the activity, you’ll need to go to the person at the entrance to the room to sign in. Afterward, you’ll receive a certificate of participation via email, which is required to apply for the credit.

You can register for the UC3M India Week activities through:
Cultural Passport Registration
Section: On Campus / Other Activities

UC3M India Week Activities with Credit Recognition

Monday, September 28,
→Indian Performing Arts Workshop: Physical and Expressive Principles of Bharatanatyam and Kathakali. Taught by Mónica de la Fuente.
→ Contemporary Indian Cinema: Lecture by Bina Paul + screening of *Victoria*

Tuesday, September 29
→ Roundtable: “India on Paper: Contemporary Literature, Languages, and Translation”
→ Roundtable: “Beyond the Stay: Success Stories of A4U Spain–India Mobility Programs”
→ Mini-workshop on traditional Indian cuisine, colors, and spices.
→ Lecture: “From Sanskrit to Hindi.”
→ Kathakali: Puthanam Moksham and discussion.

Wednesday, September 30
→ Panel Discussion: “India in the Face of the New Geopolitical Order”
→ Roundtable: “Philosophy and Religion in India”

Thursday, October 1,
→ Roundtable Discussion: “India’s Advantage: Transformation and Opportunities for Spain”
→ Bharatanatyam dance performance and workshop with Karunya Srinivasan.

Friday, October 2
→ Academic Debate Tournament: AI and Its Ethical and Legal Implications.
→ Roundtable Discussion: “A True Game Changer: Discover India’s Tech Boom”
→ Ethics as the Red Button of AI
→ Bollywood and Bhangra Workshop.
→ Mónica de la Fuente. BHAKTI Performance. POETRY OF THE BODY. From Bharatanatyam to Contemporary Indian Dance.

Download the graphic materials for UC3M India Week 2026 for printing or digital distribution.

→ Printable posters:
Each file includes versions in Spanish and English.

• Printable A4 Poster
• Printable A3 Poster
• Printable 50 × 70 cm poster

→ Posters for digital distribution

• JPG Poster · Spanish
• JPG Poster · English

→ The Week in Pictures

• Flickr Album