November 24, 2008	Monday	Ziqa'ad 25, 1429

LAHORE, Nov 23: Saturday night’s explosions near the Alhamra Cultural Complex failed to subdue art lovers’ enthusiasm and they turned up in large numbers to watch the concluding performances at the art festival on Sunday night.

Besides the general public, a number of film and television celebrities and prominent people from other walks of life gathered to express solidarity with the Rafi Peer Theatre, the organisers of the World Performing Arts Festival, who refused to cancel the concluding show.

Art lovers enjoyed some great performances during the 11-day gala, topped on Sunday night by some superb music and puppetry presentations from Pakistan, Netherlands and India.

Delegates from abroad said in a press statement: “We are here receiving the love and warmth of the people of Lahore for the last 10 days and it has been wonderful.”

They said a festival of arts like this one made human beings think about a new world, a world of love without prejudice. “We celebrated our being here in Lahore; we shall come again next year.”

A board placed at the festival recorded comments from foreign delegates, local artistes and visitors about peace and love.

Candles for peace were lit up before the concluding ceremony.

Prominent artiste Samina Pirzada told Dawn that foreign delegates, local artistes and the cast of different plays had attended the festival to express solidarity for the cause of peace through the platform of art.

Faizan Pirzada requested the government to extend financial help to the Rafi Peer Theatre. He said the Norwegian embassy had met 22 per cent of the cost of the festival because their government supported promotion of art in Pakistan.

The government of Pakistan should also lend a helping hand for holding such events in the country.

Answering a question, he said he was determined to hold the festival next year because it was a service the Rafi Peer Theatre rendered for the promotion of art and culture in the country.

Elaborate security arrangements had been made for the Sunday event and police reported arresting a number of suspects, including an Afghan teenager, for their involvement in Saturday’s blasts.