Like last year, this year too we decided to celebrate International Friendship Day with our friendship club links to share a few cultural highlights of our respective regions with each other.

On 27th July, over a Zoom meeting, we got together with SI Bangalore India, SI Llandudno UK and SI Tunbridge Wells UK, to get a sneak peek into the “Architectural Heritage” of these regions while reinforcing our friendships. The friendship meet was joined by the members of these four clubs and many from other clubs in India, including NASI President Nayana Shah and other board members. PAC Celina Joy and President Preeti Pawar welcomed and greeted everyone to the online meetup.

Heather Rhoss from SI Landudno showcased Victorian Era landmarks of her coastal resort town in Wales. Besides the artistic heritage of the town’s promenade, she spoke about how women could take walks unchaperoned in the 19th century.

Caroline Aukland from Tunbridge Wells highlighted the Opera House in their town and highlighted various notable women who performed in the theatre. She also highlighted the theatre’s link with the suffragette movement, that is women’s struggle for voting rights in UK.

Bindu Binance from SI Bangalore spoke about the Majestic Square in Bangalore, named after the Majestic Cinema which no longer exists. She narrated the story of its founder and how the cinema hall was a centre of attraction for Kannada films.

Smita Dalvi from SI Bombay Chembur showcased the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensemble centred around the Oval Maidan in Mumbai that is declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides giving glimpses of architectural styles, she highlighted women’s participation in public spaces around these heritage buildings, as also their lead roles in the conservation movement.