Film festival, drum rolls and a casual lunch

The diplomatic community kept the ball rolling with cultural events and activities this past week.

ISLAMABAD: The diplomatic community, which has recently been stepping up with cultural events, kept the ball rolling with activities this past week.

The week began with a signing ceremony between US Embassy and the ministry of culture at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). The newly-appointed US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter and his wife Marilyn Wyatt were also present.

After the formal signing ceremony, where the embassy donated generously for the renovation and rebuilding of Sheikhupura Fort in Punjab, Ambassador Munter took a round of the art gallery.

Later that day, in the evening, a group of Japanese children staged a performance with drums, enthralling those in attendance.

Then came the Koreal Film Festival, where Islamabadis got a chance to witness modern Korean culture through the camera lens. Contemporary Korean films were played at the PNCA auditorium.

While all this was happening at a larger scale, the Embassy of Argentina hosted an exclusive lunch for students of the Foreign Services Academy on Saturday. The young cadets were invited by Ambassador of Embassy of Argentina Rodolpho J Martin for a casual barbeque lunch. Tables, covered with delectable “raw materials”, were laid across the lawn.

Light jazz music played in the background and a barbecue grill, with sizzling pieces of meat, was set up in the corner. A slight breeze turned the event into a classic outdoor lunch at this time of the year.

Eduardo Bustamante, a diplomat at the embassy, exclaimed, “Traditional Argentinean style lunch: casual, fun, and tasty!”

Except Ambassador Rodolpho, every one at the lunch was dressed in casual attire – men were in jeans and t-shirts. It was a nice blend of both cultures, with Argentinean women in smart skirts and casual shirts, and the only five Pakistani female students in traditional shalwar kameez.

The food ready, instructions were given to the students to “construct their perfect bite”: one was supposed to make their own burgers by picking up a bun, putting their favourite grilled piece on it and finishing it with their choice of dressing.

The food was complimented with drinks and was followed by traditional dessert.

While a speech by the ambassador gave it a formal touch, the lunch was quite unlike the usual events hosted by embassies, where everyone is spotted in their crisp clothes and shiny shoes. It was a laid-back event – simple and lots of fun.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2010.