Report – Tazeen Akhtar/Zakiya Rasheed/ Simra Kiyani/Pics Asif Farooq
European Union Festival in Islamabad has become a tradition that brings some lessons along with information and recreation every year for Pakistanis. The Third consecutive EU Festival was organized at Pakistan National Council of Arts by the Representation of EU in Pakistan, Mr. and Mrs Jean-François Cautain and their staff on 06 April 2019 that attracted thousands of visitors from all walks of life.
Embassies of the member states of EU set up their stalls where the staff remained busy through the whole time with the visitors consisting of mainly the families. Ambassadors of the member states and their spouses very enthusiastically welcomed the kids, parents and other visitors at their respective stalls where the visitors were offered variety of food and information material.
Embassies of Poland,Romania,Spain,Germany,Portugal, Bulgaria, France,Denmark,Italy,Netherlands, Hungary, Czeck Republic,Belgium,Sweden and last but not the least UK held their stalls in the festival and respective Ambassadors and their Spouses were present their to entertain the visitors. It depicts how sincere and keen they are to enhance relations with Pakistani communities.Greece Embassy had no stall but its ambassador was present there.
Former Ambassador of EU to Pakistan Lars-Gunner-Wigemark’s presence was a surprise for many present there who knew him.
Pak Romania Friendship Association was also active in the festival. President Mr Zaildar Ahsan Shah and other office bearers were present with stickers and brochures of their association at the stall of Romania where Mr and Mrs Nicolae Goia the Ambassador were also busy in dealing with the large number of visitors.
Hungary Embassy brought a new game TEQ BALL in Pakistan at this festival. A team of Hungary Teq Ball was also present. Teq Ball is played between two players at a table with a soccer ball. President of Pakistan Teq Ball Association Mr. Tayyab Chattha and the other members were also there to apprise the visiting intending players about the game and its rules regulations. Mr. and Mrs. Istvan Szabo, Ambassador of Hungary felicitated the players by providing the table and the balls specially brought from their country.
EU embassy’s stall was the first in line where shirts of EU logo and hand bags were distributed so that the visitors use them for carry the gifts they receive from the stalls. The bags are environment friendly and sensitize the people not to use plastic bags that add to the pollution.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar was the chief guest on the occasion. Chairman Board of Investment Mr. Haroon Sharif also accompanied him on the stage where all the ambassadors joined him for official launch of the festival.
Khusro Bakhtiar congratulated EU and member states’ Ambassadors.He said that EU is example for the world to learn how to live and let live, how to achieve peace and development by inclusion and coordination.
“we look forward towards a strategic partnership based on social economic development and people to people contact.”
He expressed the hope that one day South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should also follow the footsteps of EU and “we will be celebrating SAARC Day.”
Ambassador Jean-François Cautain, in his welcome address said “the European Union is, and will continue to be a strong, cooperative and reliable partner to Pakistan. We stand for multilateralism, for human rights, and for international cooperation. We work at home and abroad to promote sustainable development, inclusive societies, and the fight against inequality and discrimination of any type.”
APP reports `A ‘Eurovillage’ was set up in Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, aiming at promoting the European culture and values.
The general public was provided with multiple displays of Europe as a culturally rich and friendly place.The EU’s as well as the member states’ stands showcased the countries’ cultures and traditions, languages, food and music to Pakistan’s general public as well as general information about the EU and the EU member States.
The premises of PNCA were transformed into a genuine carnival with stalls with European typical food. There were information and activity booths for adults and children including quizzes, selfie walls and giant cut outs of famous landmarks in Europe.
The evening ended with live performances of European bands. Award winning European DJ Pakistani artist Ms Meesha Shafi also performed while the famous European illusionist Charlie Caper enthralled the audience with his performance.
