August 18, 2006	Friday	Rajab 22, 1427

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LAHORE, Aug 17: The on-going `cultural week’ at the Lahore Fort under the banner of the Punjab archaeology department has everything but culture.

Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi inaugurated the week on Aug 15 which would continue till 22nd. He also inaugurated an exhibition of paintings and photographs at a small quadrangle called Makatib Khana where some artisans were housed to show how they worked. The only cultural activity is a mushaira which will

be held in the adjacent Hazoori Bagh on the 19th (tomorrow).

So far the public participation is dismally low. Even the attendance was thin in the inaugural ceremony for which lavish arrangements had been made. And the event ended quickly because of the oppressive weather which also made the chief minister to beckon the culture minister cut short his speech.

The minister faltered many a time while reading his Urdu speech and started speaking extempore when some participants could not hold their laughters.

The exhibition is still on but without any visitors. The reasons are two — common people are least interested in such events, and that no effort has been made to generate any interest.

Officials say mushaira is a part of Lahore culture. But it, like the opening ceremony, is going to be a guarded event where only a few privileged would be allowed entry.

Hazoori Bagh is known as the home ground of Punjabi mushaira in Lahore where locals would gather every afternoon and recite their poetry without any official patronage or interference. Children would play and people, including women, enjoy around them.

Now, Hazoori Bagh has been restored by the Parks and Horticulture Authority at a cost of Rs2.9 million but robed it of its regular Punjabi mushaira and public activity for it has been closed to people.

Some officials back the cultural week by saying that it is aimed at attracting people towards the historic fort. Some say that it has been organised to highlight the completion of the fort’s Sheesh Mahal.

Insiders say the week has been organised to spend funds provided by Unesco. They admit that the cultural week has little culture but contend that it has highlighted the efforts being made by the provincial government to restore the fort and Shalamar Gardens which it has obtained from the federal government after a long struggle.