Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: A 10-day joint exhibition of Chinese and Pakistani artists started here at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Friday evening.

The Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Pervez Rashid, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Prof. Dr Ahsan Iqbal, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Tariq Fatemi, the Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Sun Weidong, the Director General PNCA, Jamal Shah, the Director General Directorate of Electronic Media and Publication (DEMP), Raja Iftikhar, artists of

The two friendly countries and a good number of people from different walks of life were also present on the occasion.

The exhibition is part of the celebrations of the 67th anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China organised by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), DEMP, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage.

The exhibition reflects, especially in photographs the relations between Pakistan and China and the art works is seen as a reflection of the skill of the Chinese and Pakistani artists and their attachment to the art.

The exhibition, featuring Chinese and Pakistani art works will continue till October 31, at the National Art Gallery, PNCA.

The artists include He Dong an, Zhang Jinlian, Yang Baono, Sun Jianhua, Yan Fuchu, Lu Zhe, Wang Qi, Yuan Youqi and Liu Huilong from China and Mughees Riaz, R.M.Naeem, Abdul Jabbar Gul, Zahid, Anjum Ayub, Najamul Hassan Kazmi, Asadur Rehman and Farrukh Shahab from Pakistan. The exhibition comprises 56 paintings and 150 photographs, calligraphy, paintings, showcasing the picturesque scenery of Hunan Province, their traditions and their socio-culture life.

The Pakistani artworks of renowned painters are part of the exhibition. The Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage and others participants were briefed about the history of Chinese Calligraphy and paintings on the occasion.

The Chinese calligraphy is divided in eight periods and those periods are of different dynasties like Han Dynasty, Pre Qin and Qin Dynasties and Ming etc. All these periods have different styles.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong said that the exhibition was being organised in connection with the 67th anniversary of the Founding of the Peoples Republic of China.

He also said that art was the common language of mankind as the artists bridge the differences between cultures and civilisations.

He added that last year a 12-member delegation of Pakistani artists visited China and they had made paintings to express their love for China, its people and its culture. He explained that the painters from both the countries had donated their 56 pieces of art for auction and the proceeds would be spent on education of girls in Pakistan.

The Ambassador said Pakistan and China were all weather friends and their relations would further boost with the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Referring to a poem of Allama Iqbal, he said that the great philosopher poet had envisioned the development of China and Asia, more than 80 years ago.

Earlier on the occasion, the Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Pervez Rashid and the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal, distributed certificates among the Chinese artists. The Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Sun Weidong, distributed certificates among the Pakistani artists.

Japanese musical evening today: The Embassy of Japan and Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) will organise a “Japanese Musical Evening” today at the PNCA Auditorium. The event will start with the welcome address of the representatives of Embassy of Japan in Pakistan.

The performances include Japanese songs by Pakistani amateur singers. Japanese and Pakistani songs and instrumental music by Pakistan renowned artists and Japanese musicians would be part of the musical evening.