Tazeen Akhtar
Caretaker Federal Minister Culture and Heritage Syed Jamal Shah has announced to launch CPEC Cultural Caravan with cultures and artists from Pakistan and China to give flagship project China Pakistan Economic Corridor a cultural touch as well that he emphasized is as important as the economic side is. Jamal Shah shared this in his keynote address to the participants of Art Exhibition and Cultural Show organized by China Media Group at Pakistan National Council of Arts Islamabad on 11 Oct 2023.
Mr. Jamal Shah being basically an artist and as former Director General PNCA had worked upon a project in which Pakistani and Chinese artists created master pieces of mutual art while traveling on the CPEC route.
“Economic and Financial sides of CPEC have been discussed and promoted most often but I would recommend to highlight the Cultural aspect as well. Culture is a big scope and it also covers the economic and financial sides. We can work on Cultural CPEC to achieve the goals envisioned by the leadership of China and Pakistan, Minister Culture noted.
The event was real extravaganza of art and culture of iron brothers Pakistan and China. Pakistani side consisted of folk performers who demonstrated the culture of all provinces of Pakistan. They enthralled the guests with their colorful performance on folk and traditional music. Similarly Chinese singers and artists beautifully presented the different sides of their rich culture to the information and amusement of the audience. Media persons and families from both sides were present in large number.
Prominent among the guest were Information Minister Mr. Murtaza Solangi, Incharg China Culture Center Mr. Zhang Heqing, Director Dosti Radio Channel FM 98Ms Wang (Noreen). CPEC expert ,former Chairman Board of Investment KPK Mr. Hassan Daud.
Renown Pakistani singer Mr. Sahir Ali Baggaa entertained the guests with his popular songs. Chinese and Pakistani children and youth accompanied him on the stage.
Ms Wang (Noreen) astonished the guest with her proficiency in Urdu. She addressed the participants in Urdu language with beautiful and heart catching accent that received a big applause from the listeners. ” We are happy to complete 10 years of CPEC. We look forward to continue our joint efforts to accomplish the next phase, She said.
Ms Wang (Noreen) said that she has learnt Urdu both in China and Pakistan. Here it was felt by the listeners that would that some Pakistani could reciprocate in Chinese language to Ms Wang’s expertise and love for our national language. There are many Pakistani students who are learning Chinese language in our universities. These students can be invited in such events and provided stage to speak from Pakistan in Chinese Language.
Information Minister Murtaza Solangi also addressed the gathering. He spoke highly about the culture and art history of China.
A documentary to highlight the bilateral cooperation through generations of both sides was screened during the show. It was on a Pakistani driver employed on construction projects who would take his young son to the projects with him. The son grew as a civil engineer and found job at a big project being completed with cooperation of China, that is part of CPEC.
Question Answer session was another interesting part of the show in which the masters of the ceremony asked questions related to CPEC project. Special gift packs were presented to the right answers. This scribe also received a gift answering to a question ” What is common between Silk Route and BRI.” The answer was ” Silk Route connected different regions of the world in a trade connectivity and Belt & Road Initiative also serves the same purpose in which different countries and continents will be connected through one road network.”
The exhibition was arranged on the sidelines of the cultural show where diversity of Chinese culture and heritage was displayed for the interest and knowledge of the visitors. The ministers were taken to the exhibition by head of China Culture Center Mr. Whang Heqing who briefed them about the history of the pieces on display.
The beauty of the event also included the participation of children from both sides. 4 to 10 years old kids were chanting slogans from the stage “Pakistan Zindah Baad and Pak China Dosti Zindah Baad.” It clearly depicts that our friendship is everlasting and it is transmitting from one generation to another. This is the uniqueness of our relationship that never exists between any other two countries in the world.
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