LAHORE: An exhibition-cum-competition titled ‘Wekh Lahore’ opened at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, on Monday.

The exhibition of photographs is the yearly feature of Walled City of Lahore.

The event was inaugurated by WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari and the vice chancellor of Lahore Garrison University.

Of 1,389 entries for the contest, 453 were displayed at the Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore.

The event was attended by a large number of people. There were three categories in the contest -- monuments, architecture and the street life of the Walled City.

The first three winners in each category were awarded Rs100,000, Rs75,000 and Rs50,000 along with gifts like microwave ovens and refrigerators provided by various sponsors.

The overall best 50 shots were awarded gift hampers. The photos were invited from hobbyists and amateur photographers from all over Pakistan.

Mr Lashari said: “This is a yearly event of the Walled City of Lahore Authority and the aim is to create photo tourism and promote the city through photographs. This is one way of digitising our heritage and intangible culture of the Walled City. I believe that youth are the best resource for gathering the photographs and social media the best tool for promoting it. We will also be printing a coffee table book of these photographs later on.”

WCLA Deputy Director Tania Qureshi: “I am happy that every year there is more response to the event. We hope to have a grand event next year and that too in Lahore Fort.”

Abdul Rahim said: “I am really happy to be the first winner in the category of monuments. This is amazing that a government department is holding such lively events and giving cash prizes on the spot.”

The exhibition will continue till Feb 10.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2016