Daily Times

LAHORE: The Punjab Gilgit-Baltistan Fusion Festival 2017 commenced at the Alhamra Arts Council on Thursday to bring the two provinces’ culture, music and cuisines under one roof.

A large number of citizens, including students and families, thronged the festival and appreciated the Walled City Lahore Authority (WCLA) and the Lahore Arts Council Alhamra for organising the festival for local people. The Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government has also assisted in making the event a success

WCLA Director General Kamran Lashari, Lahore Arts Council Executive Director Captain (r) Atta Muhammad Khan, Alhamra’s Arts and Culture Director Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi, WCLA Deputy Director Tania Qureshi and officials of the GB Tourism Department GB were also present.

Food and handicraft stalls were set up for citizens to develop acquaintance with the culture of two provinces. As many as 45 people, including crew members from GB, participated.

On the first day of the three-day carnival, singers, dancers and drummers from two provinces performed their traditional folk dances. Islam Habib, a signer from GB enthralled audience with his songs.

Visitors were of the view that such activities should be held on a monthly basis. They said events help bridge gap between people having different culture and traditions.

Talking to Daily Times, Ijaz Jibran and Raja Muhammad Ali Shah Maqpoon – singers from GB – said, “We are very excited to perform in front of a huge audience who have appreciated and highly praised our culture and tradition. We are thankful to Lahrois for the respect and appreciation we have received from them.”

In their comments, Kamran Lashari and Atta Muhammd Khan said, “We are thankful to the GB government, including the Tourism Department, for making endeavours to make the festival a success. We will continue our struggle to provide healthy activity to citizens to bring colourful cultures from across the country under one roof.