Peace, is the “surprise” in Pakistan’s armory that has put Delhi in a check-mate, observers say. The art festival is another bud in the bouquet called “enduring stability”.
DESPARDES — The first-ever International Islamabad Art Festival 2019 (IAF-19) will be held in the federal capital from November 18 to November 30, aiming to celebrate diversity and creativity in all forms of visual and performing arts in the country.
The art festival dovetails British Royal Couple William and Kate Middletown’s 5-day visit earlier this month amid Pakistan, observers say, having crossed the Rubicorn: from terrorism to tourism –and despite the chill with India post Indian PM Modi’s 370 shock and awe in disputed Himalayan valley.
Peace and restraint are the “surprise” in Pakistan’s armory now that has unexpectedly put Delhi in a check-mate, observers say.
The opening of Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims, starting Guru Nanak University and commemorating the occasion with a stamp are few of the nuggets behind interfaith harmony and religious tourism Pakistan is moving forward with.
The festival is another bud in the bouquet called “enduring stability”.
In a press briefing here on Wednesday, President and Chief Curator of IAF-19 Mr. Jamal Shah said the festival was being organized by consortium of public and private educational institutions, art galleries and artist associations from across the country in collaboration with foreign embassies, with generous support from the corporate sector.
Shah who is also the former Director General Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) said IAF-19 was a collaborative project and would be hosted in several locations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including museums, art galleries, educational institutions and public parks.
The festival would be inaugurated on November 18 at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), and would continue for a full 13 days, before an elaborate closing ceremony on November 30th.
The thematic focus of IAF-19 is ‘Dialogue between Tradition and Modernity’– an arts discussion ongoing for decades worldwide.
Local artists would create, exhibit and perform right alongside their foreign counterparts and catapult Pakistani art to new heights worldwide, Shah said.
“Collaborating with international artists will foster stronger relationships through cultural dialogue and exchange of ideas and elevate Pakistani art and culture on a global level.”
Representatives of various arts galleries and partners organizations were also present on the occasion. Dr. Arjumand Faisal of Gallery 6 while speaking on the occasion said the “Arjumand Painting Award” will be announced during Islamabad Art Festival, adding that jury will nominate the first three winners of the competition.
The festival, Shah said, is expected to engage an audience of at least 500,000 individuals from diverse backgrounds and ages. “The participants of the festival will include over 230 individuals from 34 countries and approximately 400 artists from across Pakistan.”
