LAHORE: The Punjab Council of the Arts (PCA) has outlined several initiatives for 2025 aimed at promoting art and culture across the province.

The notable programs for the next year include second editions of the Punjab Music Competition, Punjab Theatre Competition and Punjab Painting Competition while the Punjab Poetic Competition is the new addition. Further, the Second Punjab Art & Culture Expo in Multan, the Gandhara Civilization Mela in Rawalpindi, the Cholistan Festival along with Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally 2025 and International Sahiwal Literary & Cultural Conference have also been included in the Year 2025.

PCA Executive Director Muhammad Tanvir Majid told Dawn that these programmes reflected the council’s commitment to fostering a vibrant cultural scene in Punjab by providing platforms to artistic expression. He also noted that the PCA envisioned a culturally vibrant and inclusive society where art and culture would thrive as integral parts of life, promoting social harmony and intellectual growth.

The arts council has also planned to set up studios dedicated to visual and performing arts, offering spaces for artists to practice and develop their crafts and various classes and workshops in disciplines such as painting, music and calligraphy in the Province. The development schemes are also underway to renovate existing buildings and enhance facilities within the art councils to serve artists and the public in a better way.

Mr Tanvir also answered the status of Open Air Theatre Bagh-e Jinnah, saying that the ongoing Open Air Theatre in Bagh-i-Jinnah, Lahore, was undergoing renovations to restore and modernise this historic cultural venue. Built in 1940 on a hillock in Lawrence Gardens, the theatre has been a centre for cultural activities since its inception.

He said the work at open air theatre was stopped by the Lahore High Court because of some reservations filed by a citizen. But now the stay order had been vacated by court and work had resumed. The current renovation project, estimated at a cost of approximately Rs391.8m, aimed at upgrading the theatre with modern facilities while preserving its historical essence.

Upon completion, the renovated Open Air Theatre is expected to attract both the public and tourists, offering a blend of charm and modern facilities to support a vibrant cultural scene in the city.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2024