Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chinese and Pakistani artists, eight from each country, will travel in a cultural caravan in three segments of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), each segment spanning a maximum of ten days’ duration.

“A creative caravan of artists, musicians and filmmakers from China and Pakistan will traverse the CPEC and document arts and culture en-route,” said PNCA officials.

The Silk Route has played a significant role in the culture and economy of the region through the history.

Its visionary transformation into CPEC will be seen as the most powerful engine of change, development, progress and economic turnaround for the entire region.

According to schedule, the first segment will undertake the Western Passage, covering route from Peshawar to Gwadar.

The second segment will take the Eastern Passage from Karachi to Islamabad, while also taking detour between Eastern Western and Central Passages.

The third segment will cover Northern Passage starting from Kashgar and culminating at Islamabad.

Timings of the three segments of the caravan will be decided, keeping climatic and other factors in mind.

The filmmakers will have all their equipment including editing systems with them so they can continue editing their films and also engage local talent in the process of filming and editing.

The painters and photographers will be encouraged to engage with local enthusiasts in creative processes by sharing their knowledge and skills with them and also letting them to take pictures and paint images.

The musicians will not only document local folk music but also perform at different places and interact with local musicians.

Independence Day:

The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) has finalised its preparations for 70th years Pakistan Independence Day celebrations to be held on August 14.

An official of Lok Virsa informed that the special programmes will start from August 11 and continue till August 14.

Both the museums administered by Lok Virsa, the Heritage Museum at Garden Avenue and Pakistan Monument Museum will remain the hub of these activities.

A special Independence Day cake cutting ceremony will also arranged at Pakistan Monument Museum on August 14.

A live performance by newly established Lok Virsa Folk Dance Group is also scheduled at Heritage Museum. A group of drummers (dholis) in traditional costumes will entertain the visitors throughout the day.

Lok Virsa will also screen popular national songs on multimedia projectors on August 14 at both the museums. Lok Virsa premises will be decorated with colourful bunting. Lok Virsa premises will be decorated with colorful bunting.

Special entertainment activities for children such as jumping castles, puppet show, magic show, juggling, local musical programme, food stalls would also be arranged.

Lok Virsa also planned to organize two-day folk band concert on August 19 and August 20.

Summer camp:

A month-long summer camp in Punjabi and Brahvi languages, organised by National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, will continue till July 31 to provide valuable information to children about regional languages.

“The objective of the camp is to create ownership among children regarding Pakistan’s languages and cultural heritage and to provide them an orientation about Brahvi and Punjabi cultures and to re-affirm our identity of being multi-cultural and pluralistic country,” an official said.

The participants will also learn about poetry, music and festivals of Sindhi and Pashtoon cultures. Lok Virsa invited children to join this camp learn know how about Punjabi and Brahvi languages.

Registration is open and per child charges are Rs 3,000, including refreshments. The camp started on July 5 will conclude on July 31, 2017.

Published in Daily Times, July 18th, 2017.