LAHORE: The 14-day long Lahore Biennale concluded at Jinnah Garden on Saturday night.

Lush green lawns of Baradari, splashing fountains and stars in the sky offered a perfect setting for the finale that had some fine singing and a few speeches. The Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF) and other partners held the event.

Parks and Horticulture Authority Director General Mian Shakeel congratulated the organisers for holding such a mega event and said a lot of effort had gone down in making it a success.

The first performance of the function was by Haider Rehman, a nephew of visual artist Lalarukh. A tribute was paid to Lalarukh for her services in the field of visual art and her struggle for women’s rights.

A video was also screened on the occasion in connection with the Biennale activities in Lahore. The video featured comments of artists and visitors who thoroughly enjoyed art works and other activities during the last 14 days and called it a wonderful experience.

Additional Chief Secretary Umar Rasool said: “We all Lahorites have made it”. He held Syed Babar Ali and Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in high esteem for their support for Biennale. “It’s the last day of Biennale and last night of spring,” said Mr Rasool who urged people to visit the archival exhibition of Bhagat Singh at the Civil Secretariat.

Qasim Ibrahim Ahmed enthralled the audience with performance on sitar. Next performance was by renowned singer Zaib Bangash who sang a number of songs such as ‘Sayo ni meray dil da jani’ and ‘Aaja ray moray saiyan’ which were highly appreciated by the audience.

Walled City Lahore Authority Director General Kamran Lashari also spoke on the occasion and said extremism could be countered through art and culture. He congratulated the LBF for holding the two-week event.

Additional Secretary Culture Saman Rai said it’s a matter of great pride for us that Biennale went very well.

LBF Research award was announced on the occasion and its details will be available on website.

Asma Jahangir award was given to the late Lalarukh and it will be given at every Biennale in Lahore.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2018