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| 10 April 2005 | Sunday | 30 Safar 1426 |
Cultural fair to promote country’s soft image: Durrani
ISLAMABAD, April 9: The grand ‘Qaumi Yakjehti Mela’ (national solidarity fair) kicked off at Shakarparian here on Friday with a wide-range of guests assembled from the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
In his address at the opening ceremony of the 17-day cultural fair Minister of State for Culture and Sports Mohammad Ali Durrani said, it was part of the government’s efforts to project Pakistan’s soft image and rich cultural heritage in the world.
He expressed the hope that the mela would play an important role in promoting harmony, brotherhood, national integration and cultural understanding.
The fair, organized by the Heritage Museum in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, includes a wide range of activities depicting the diverse and rcih cultural milieu of the country.
An exhibition of works of artisans from the South Asian states and performances by troupes from China and Sri Lanka are also part of the fair.
The state minister said Pakistan is custodian of great cultural values and that all Pakistanis despite their separate cultural values are sewn in the beads of friendship, love and brotherhood.
“We are very friendly, humble, tolerant and hospitable people and we need to highlight the correct image of the country”, Mr Durrani said.
He hoped that the mela would help maintain the historical ties with
our friends and exchange of
cultural delegations would help bring us closer.
The minister performed ‘Dastarbandi’ of Tehmina Rafik for her excellent work of Gotta. The 65-year-old artisan from southern Punjab has devoted 40 years of her life in training thousands of young girls in the art of fixing ‘Gotta’.
Dastarbandi or ‘Chadarposhi’ is an ancient tradition of Punjab to honour an artisan. Every year a lady artisan is selected and crowned as ‘master craftswoman’ and honoured for her devotion and dedication to the promotion of crafts.
Earlier, Additional Secretary, Culture, Khalid Saeed Haroon in his address of welcome said that the Lok Virsa has assembled artisans and performers from the entire nation in Islamabad, giving rare glimpse of the rich fabric of Pakistani culture.
Mr Haroon said the ministry was in the process of revising Pakistan’s cultural policy in order to ensure national integration and promote enlightened moderation.
He said Pakistan’s multiculturalism is fundamental to our belief that all nationalities and citizens are equal, can keep their identities, take pride in their ancestry and have a sense of belonging.
The pavilions from Sindh, Punjab, NWFP, Baluchistan, Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas have displayed their merchandise, works of artisans and specialties. On display are handicrafts, embroidery works, carpets, shawls, earthenware, replicas of stones from Taxila carrying busts of Lord Buddha and other specimens of statues carved out from stones and mythological deities of archaeological importance.
Folk artists from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and NWFP are present to perform dances at the fair especially ‘Jhoomer’ parties from Jampur, Sindh; ‘Baluchi Lewa’ dance party from Quetta, Akhtar Chanal and his group from Quetta, and Saeen Mushtaq from Sheikhupura.
Khattak Dance from NWFP presented several items of sword dance. From Punjab, there were several parties of folk dancers including Qurban Niazi as well as Mohan Lal party and Shaukat Ali Sheikh party from Sheikhupura.
Horse party from Jhang District thrilled the audience with trained horses indulging in the display
of dances to the beat of the huge drums.
At the Silk Route pavilion the artists from Northern Areas attracted the visitors from Islamabad with their exquisite works.
Foreign delegations have been invited to the fair, where food stalls offering typical dishes of all parts of the country have also been set up.
Lok Virsa Executive Director Uxi Mufti and the Programme Executive, Anwarul Haq also spoke on the occasion.
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