The week commenced with the overflowing excitement of the Valentine's Day coming over the weekend. There was a lot of hype in the media about the event and has become commercially viable for a number business entities. It has been culturally adopted by the nouveau riche of Islamabad but which has its roots in the West. Without going into the pros and cons of whether it should be celebrated or not, I'm all for it as it just gives one an excuse to do something special for the people one loves.
In a way, this has widened the meaning of the occasion as compared to the Western connotation of it having significance for the lovers only. One could feel the warmth of love all around. The restaurants/hotels had prepared special menus with a red rose being given to the man so that he could give it to his valentine. The UN Club had organized a Valentines Dinner and Dance but the invitations were for the members only while non-members could attend as guests of the members. UNWA proceeds go to their charities - so it was helping a worthy cause and having a good time into the bargain.
A 'Margalla Festival' was arranged in the Fatima Jinnah Park on Sunday. It took place in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Directorate General Special Education. There were flights of colours all around with Basant being celebrated with all its exuberance. It was a special occasion for special people and people from all walks of life joined in the fun.
I attended a talk forum on the State of Migration and Multiculturalism in Pakistan which happened under the auspices of the UNESCO. It was very informative and a lot of research / analysis were put in by the scholars on the aforementioned subject. Strategies were presented as how to promote multicultural phenomenon in the society. Consensus was reached that endorsement of cultural activities such as street theatre, folk art, exhibitions, dramas etc are the means of understanding the various cultures and celebrating their diversity so that this could be integrated and create a truly multicultural environ.
The scribe attended the Dialogue on Art by the renowned playwright and poet, Amjad Aslam Amjad which was organized by the Pakistan National Council of Arts. The event was organized to further a contemporary vision of art and culture which has its roots in history. The talk was very interesting as it was interspersed with anecdotes from his life and experiences. He explained his innate ability and external motivations which made him grow into the person that he now is. He pinpointed the causes of social imbalances in our society to the impregnable hold of feudalists and vested interests. He further explained that the educational system has evolved into commercial concerns preparing the students for lucrative careers without emphasizing the significance of art and literature in life.
Amjad Islam Amjad is an inexhaustibly a versatile person whose persistent endeavors have resulted in innumerable stage, radio, TV plays, volumes of poetic renditions, travelogues, lyrics columns, adapted plays and translations. His TV serial Waris is adjudged as an all time hit in the local electronic media. His scripts are magnetic due to the powerful thematic content, well knitted plot and strong characterization. His poetic depictions are appealing because these encapsulate the full prism of human emotions. Amjad has 41 publications to his name with 13 books under print. He has won 17 awards which includes the Sitara-e- Imtiaz.
An exhibition of photographs was being held at the Lok Virsa titled 'Social and Cultural life in Palestine during Ottoman era'. It was organized by the Turkish Embassy and the Secretary Culture, Ahsan Akhtar Malik, inaugurated the event. The photographs have been shot in Palestine during the late Ottoman era between 1850-1970 which are result of a thorough research done by Husseyin Avin Bicakli, the current Turkish Consulate General in Jerusalem.
The 1500 photographs have been collected by Mr.Avin Bicakli from the archives of the Orient House, the Arab Studies Society and other local institutions. The secretary culture appreciated the peaceful era depicted in the photographs from the Turkish history. While the Charge de' Affairs of Turkish Embassy, Ingeborg Ersoy lauded the congenial relations between various nations and religions of that particular period. Moreover, he stated that it is an obvious presentation of the life of Palestinians blended in Turkey during the Ottoman era. The exhibition is a good way of understanding the developments on the socio-cultural activities, the life style and belief of the Palestinians during that particular period. Though, unfortunately the scribe couldn't get to see the exhibition as the people responsible closed it before it's stated time.
Sitting at Serena Hotel for the inauguration of the Japanese Film Festival, it seemed that one was in Japan. The general ambiance of the hall and the background music added to the effect. It was indeed a warm welcome and one felt oneself enter into another world. Japan has a rich living culture going back centuries down the lane and it is always a pleasure to be part of it even if it is for a little while. The occasion was inaugurated and hosted by the Japanese Ambassador, Minoru Shibuya. Speaking on the occasion he appreciated and enjoyed the exciting atmosphere of the Basant Festival which was celebrated in Lahore during his recent visit.
Mr. Kamran Lashari, the CDA Chairman, who graced the event and said that he was endeavoring to form a multicultural environment in Islamabad. In this regard the diplomatic missions based in Islamabad will be involved in creating a theme park in a portion of F-9 Park. A piece of land will be given to each mission so that a miniature version of one of their country's popular parks could be replicated. He said that the Romanian Embassy has already offered it's co-operation in the effort and a symbolic monument of Pak -Romanian friendship will be inaugurated in the near future. Moreover, he appreciated the Japanese culture as being one of the richest and the oldest in the world.
A selection of six Japanese films with English sub-titles were screened during the Festival from Feb 19 to 22. The one shown at the inaugural session was titled 'Nabbie no Koi' (Nabbie's Love). It was a comedy about an old woman's passionate love incubated for 60 years on a small tropical island of Okinawa. The other films included Osaka Story, Keiho, Kodayu, Torasan's Tropical Fever and Ogin Her Love and Faith which will be screened at the Aabpara Community Centre. The event was organized by the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with the Pak-Japan Cultural Association, MEXT Alumni Association of Pakistan, the Japan Foundation and a local hotel.
The popular festival gives a good opportunity to imbibe the Japanese culture, which helps in an enhanced perception of Japan and better rapport with its people.
The week ended on a note of multiplicity of festivities which gave spice to the life of Islamabad which is otherwise renowned for its dullness.
Comments
Comments are closed.