Cultural Week in Poland for promotion of cultural heritage and Soft Image of Pakistan from 19-26 October 2021

A cultural week was organized by the Embassy in Warsaw and Łódź to promote soft image of Pakistan FROM 19-26 October 2021. The main events included (i) exhibition of rare paintings of legendary Pakistani artist Sadequain; (ii) live truck art shows/mural paintings; and (iii) artistic workshops in schools.

The exhibitions of Sadequain’s rare paintings in Łódź and Warsaw were organized in collaboration with the offices of the Mayor of Łódź city and the President of Wilanow District in Warsaw.

In Łódź, the event was held in the City Art Gallery “Galeria Willa” from 21-22 October. At the inauguration, the Mayor of Łódź Ms. Hanna Zdanowska thanked the Embassy for choosing Łódź for the exhibition and conveyed that her office looked forward to any such initiative in future.

Ambassador Malik Muhammad Farooq, in his address, underlined the importance of cultural exchanges for better mutual understanding and creating linkages for people to people contacts. He also highlighted Sadequain’s remarkable contribution in arts, spanning over genres, i.e., Portraiture, Impressionism, Realism, Surrealism, Modernism, Symbolism, and Mysticism.

On 23-24 October, another exhibition was arranged at the Cultural Center in Wilanow District of Warsaw. The event was attended by government officials, members of diplomatic corps, academia, thank-tanks and Pakistani community.

Speaking at the inauguration, the former Ambassador of Poland to Pakistan Mr. Piotr Opalinski highlighted importance of cultural exchanges in bringing the two communities closer. He termed Sadequain “a generous artist” who did not bind himself in a single tradition and shared his art with all communities.

Mr. Piotr Taracha, Dean Oriental Studies, Warsaw University, underscored that the exhibition reflected multicultural aspect of Pakistani society. He expressed hope that the Pakistan Embassy would continue arranging such events, including the contemporary artists in Pakistan.

Mr. Ludwik Rakowski, the President of District Wilanow emphasized that the event was a good example of mutual respect for each other’s cultures. Offering his cooperation, he stated that his office looked forward to further collaboration with Pakistan Embassy to promote cultural exchanges.

In his remarks, the Ambassador underlined that the events of such kind are instrumental in projecting the true image of the country and enhancing people-to-people contacts. He added that the Pakistan Embassy was planning to hold such events regularly to promote Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and its soft image.

In parallel, live truck art shows and artistic workshops were also arranged in Łódź and Warsaw from 19-26 October. Famous truck art painters Mr. Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Mr. Tariq Khan painted murals in various locations in the two cities. Various artistic workshops were held in educational institutions, including Primary and High Schools in Łódź, and Kindergarten, Primary and High Schools in Warsaw, as a master class for the Polish students. The students showed keen interest in the artistic workshops which provided them an excellent opportunity to learn and know about the art and culture of Pakistan. The murals were also witnessed by a large number of Polish and Pakistani communities in the two cities.

Warsaw

26 October 2021