Cultural heritage revived: Groundbreaking ceremony of Swat museum held

New museum to opens its doors to the public in 11 months’ time.

SWAT:

The foundation stone laying ceremony of Swat museum, which was seriously damaged by the 2005 earthquake and for the second time in a blast in 2009, was held on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Director of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Pakistan, Dr Luca Maria Olivieri said, “The Swat museum is being reconstructed for everyone who loves the Swat valley and its people.”It is also our way to honour the losses suffered by the people in Swat during the militancy.”

The total budget for the project is Rs221,000,000, 50 per cent of which is committed to the reconstruction of the Swat museum, and the rest to excavations, restorations, training and awareness programmes and protection of 11 major sites.

When the new museum opens its doors to the public in 11 months’ time, it will serve as an example of the renovation of a popular  tourist attraction in Swat. The museum will also function  as a centre for cultural activities. The new museum houses a conference room, which will be accessible to the public even when the museum is closed.

Swat museum will be reconstructed under a project funded by the Pakistan-Italian Debt Swap Agreement (FIDSA), implemented by Archaeology-Community-Tourism/Field School Project. The University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar will offer technical support.

Faryal Gauhar, a Phd scholar of Cultural Heritage and Management who was present at the ceremony, said, “Swat is not only beautiful, it is also renowned for its cultural heritage. Swat is home to the Gandhara Civilisation.”

Some years back militants tried to push Swat into the darkness but these forces could not succeed, she added. Nations need to honour their past if they wish to progress. “Tourism and culture are interlinked and play a vital role in strengthening the economy.”

“The reconstruction of the museum will send a message to the world that peace has returned to Swat valley and tourists are once again welcome, said Muhammad Pervaish Shaheen, a historian and scholar. “This will encourage domestic and foreign tourists to visit Swat.”

Swat Archaeological Museum, in Saidu Sharif, is one of the most important tourist attractions of Swat valley and the entire Malakand division. The original museum was constructed in 1959 by the Wali of Swat.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa  Minister for Tourism and Museums and Sports Aqil Shah thanked the Italian government for extending assistance and said, “This is a big step towards the revival of tourism in Swat.

The ceremony was attended by the Consul General of Italy in Islamabad Caterina Ronchi, officials from the archaeology department and civil society members.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2012.