South Korean film festival held

Two days before Christmas, the South Korean embassy held its 2016 Film Festival at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad.

The large auditorium was warm and welcoming, as were Ambassador Dr Suh Dong-gu, his wife, and senior embassy officials. In a brief speech PNCA Director General Syed Jamal Shah spoke about the importance of cultural knowledge and exchange, noting that Pakistan’s known history goes back some 9,500 years.

‘How to Steal a Dog’, directed by Kim Sung-ho, was screened at the festival. The film had a modern feel to it, and held a universal message about family and concern for others. Ambassador Suh said choosing the films to be screened abroad was not an easy task.

“The film was particularly relevant film to be shown just before Christmas,” said a foreign guest.

Teenage pianist wows audience

Teenage Hungarian pianist Misi Boros, 13, impressed a large audience at the Marriott Hotel at a concert held prior to the Christmas weekend in Islamabad.

The concert went on longer than usual, but the enthusiastic performer had little trouble in spite of a slight cold. The concert also featured a brief interlude by local musicians.

“I was a bit worried about him,” said his mother Jolan Boros, a literature professor in southern Hungary. “But then I know that once he sits behind the piano, he forgets everything else.”

Janos Boros, his father, is a philosophy professor. His son is already well-known all over Europe, with several CDs and a number of concerts to his name. “To be a top musician is not just to be technically skilled. It is also being a good human being, with real philosophical skills,” Mr Boros said.

The Hungarian ambassador Istvan Szabo and his wife were smiling hosts to the young pianist and his family. “He is certainly a virtuoso, as we used to call such talented musicians, and it fits well into Hungary’s proud musical history,” said the ambassador.

Spanish guitarist performs in capital

Spanish Ambassador Carlos Morales welcomed guests to a makeshift concert hall at the Marriott Hotel, where guitarist Rafael Serrallet performed as part of the city’s pre-Christmas events.

The unique concert ‘hall’ was set up next to the pool, and bright lights and flowers floated in the water behind the stage.

“This is the closest to a real concert hall I have seen in the diplomatic community in Islamabad,” said a foreign ambassador. Marriott’s general manager, Eduardo Nicolas who is also from Spain, looked pleased with the comment.

Mr Serrallet was the sole performer, and captivated the audience with serene and beautiful music.

“If the audience had known the tunes, and some did, they would have hummed along, because the melodies were among the famous and loved ones in Spain,” he said. The guests were treated to a large buffet dinner in the hall adjacent to the swimming pool.

A Pakistani couple said the food was the best Spanish dinner they had ever had, and included Pakistani delicacies.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2016