PESHAWAR: The Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) in collaboration with the Directorate of Archeology and Museums and the district government on Friday opened two-day arts and crafts festival at the historic Gor Khatri Complex here.

During the festival, five master trainers will begin training people in the fast fading local arts and crafts for six months.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, TCKP managing director Mushtaq Ahmad Khan said the event was organised as part of efforts to revive arts and crafts, which used to attract foreign and domestic tourists to the region in large numbers.

He said riving local handicrafts could help boost tourism industry in the province.

The TCKP managing director said some arts and crafts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faded away, which was no less than a great national loss, so their revival was direly needed.

He said Begum Jehan Ara, elder daughter of Mughal empower Shahjehan, came to Peshawar in 1641 AD and built an inn at Gor Khatri, which used to be a resting place for travellers bound for India and central Asian countries.

“This historic site will not only showcase local arts and crafts but will also bring back the lost glory through cultural activities,” he said.

Rehmat Khan, a participant, said organising such festivals was inspirational as it took people back to old times when the city used to be a peaceful place and thus, promoting local unique arts and crafts in the world.

He, however, said it was unfortunate that materialism had played havoc with local arts and culture.

Dr Waseem, another participant, said it was traveling back to the glorious past to know about great arts and big artists of the region.

Manager (experts training) Nabeela Asad said under the TCKP programme, five master trainers would train two people each in dying skills, who would later transfer their knowledge and expertise to aspiring learners.

She said initially, TCKP would take up few endangered arts and crafts, including brass work, waxwork and woodcarving.

Ms Nabeela said the six-month training programme would accept all those aspiring to receive training in any art and craft.

“I think the two–day festival will turn out to be a golden opportunity for artisans to revive dying arts and crafts for the people’s sustainable development, especially for women empowerment. People have great potential but they need just a platform for bringing out their hidden talent,” she said.

Different 35 stalls showcasing dying arts and crafts will be open to visitors today (Saturday).

The stalls will be of cloth with traditional mirror work and embroidery, antique radio sets, ancient musical instruments, footwear and handmade paintings.

Folk dances, especially Khattak dance and Waziri attan, traditional music and fun-filled activities for children are also part of the event.