LAHORE, Nov 13: The proceeds of 1,000 VVIP seats a day during the World Performing Arts Festival 2005 will go towards the earthquake victims’ cause.

Usman Peerzada of the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop told newsmen at the Alhamra Cultural Complex on Sunday that the nine-day gala would also focus on healing the structural and physical wounds through art, “the language of the spirit and heart”.

The festival, he said, would also work on gathering funds for the rehabilitation of the affected people and the reconstruction of the damage caused by the last month quake.

“This year’s festival is now a symbolic prayer, honed and crafted from the arts and emotions of people from all over the globe, to honour all those who lost their lives and a support for those who must rebuild theirs,” said Usman.

Around 500 artists from various disciplines of performing and visual arts from 40 countries are expected to take part. Some 1,000 or so artists from all over Pakistan would also participate in the cultural extravaganza, festival president Faizan Peerzada said.

“We shall announce the amount collected through the sale of the VVIP tickets on the concluding day of the gala,” he said.