Artists of 34 countries including Pakistan would participate in first-ever thirteen-day international Islamabad Art Festival 2019, to be commenced from November 18.
Chief curator and Islamabad Art Festival president Jamal Shah said that artists of Turkey, United States, France, United Kingdom, Canada, Egypt, Denmark, Austria, China, Cuba, Japan Iran, Indonesia, Germany, Russia and Saudi Arabia would participate in the festival.
He said that the Islamabad Art Festival is built upon the foundation of cultural diversity that is so deeply embedded in the land that is now Pakistan, and in the people that are now Pakistani. He said that the art has the unique capability of enabling the people to engage intimately with their natural and cultural heritage in a creative and critical manner.
Jamal Shah said that the spirit of creativity and innovation brings people together and strengthens society as a whole. Various cultural activities would be organized at different locations including Sir Syed Memorial Complex, Art and Craft Village, Fatima Jinnah Park, Open Air Theater in Shakarparian, Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Saidpur Village, Serena Hotel, Tanzara Gallery, Gallery 6 and Nukta Studios.
FOLK FESTIVAL IN ISLAMABAD: A 10-day folk festival, organized by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, continued attracting visitors from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. An atmosphere of festivity and a celebration of local cultures surrounded the festival here at the Garden Avenue in Shakarparian.
The major features of the festival to attract the public include artisans-at-work exhibition, provincial cultural pavilions, folkloric songs and dance ensembles, rural musicians, cultural evenings, promotional stalls by public organizations and NGOs, general assembly of crafts people, an exotic craft bazaar, traditional food cuisine and food stalls have enthralled both adults and children.
All provinces and regions including Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir got the opportunity to showcase their respective rich cultures comprising indigenous folk music, songs, traditional dances and traditional cuisines.
A large number of people from different walks of life including professional and general masses, art and craft experts, cultural personalities, diplomats, political figures, media persons and students visited and entertained by the fascinating performances of the artists.
The Balochistan pavilion set up by the Balochistan Directorate of Culture in collaboration with the Lok Virsa catches the visitors’ eye with presentation of the richness of Balochi culture, arts, crafts, folk music, rituals, traditions, cuisine and folk entertainment. More than 500 artists, singers and artisans are participating in the festival, representing the real cultural values.
Folk artists includes Muskan Noushahi, Fazal Jutt, Jangi Khan, Bashir Lohar, Krishan Lal Bhel, Dholi Group and Gata Ghora dance party from Multan was participating in the festival. The folk artists of Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were also entertaining the visitors at their pavilions.
Traditional mouth-watering Pakistani traditional cuisines are also available at the premises of the festival. The festival will culminate with a colourful award ceremony scheduled to take place on the last day on November 24 in which cash awards would be distributed among the talented artisans recommended by a national jury.
ISLAMABAD EAT FESTIVAL: A three-day Islamabad Eat Festival 2019, carrying a variety of culinary delights for food lovers, in full swing at F-9 Park in Islamabad. The food festival is providing quality and unique food experience for the people till November 17. A number of high end and well-reputed restaurants, cafes and food brands have set up their food stalls at the activity area, providing high quality food to the visitors.
With a variety of scrumptious food stalls and appetizing presentations by established and upcoming food chains, this is a welcoming move to let twin cities experience a unique food festival centered on the idea of creating one ultimate platform for people who love food, said the organizers. A musical show was also organized which was enthralled the audience.