Social significance: International Museum Day observed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Students visited museums in Peshawar, Mardan

MARDAN/PESHAWAR: International Museum Day was observed in various parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday. The theme for this year’s celebrations is ‘Museums and Cultural Landscapes’ – an idea proposed by International Council of Museums (ICOM).

In Peshawar, students from various schools were invited to visit Peshawar Museum. The purpose of this trip was to encourage them to take an interest in their cultural heritage.

“The objective is to raise awareness about the importance of museums,” Archaeology and Museums Director Dr Abdul Samad told The Express Tribune on the occasion. He added museums can also promote tourism.

A large number of locals also visited various museums. The entry fee was waived at all the 12 museums that come under the K-P government.

However, day holds little significance in the province even though the region was part of the Gandhara civilisation and bears testimony to various cultural influences.

The centre of Gandhara civilisation was Pushkalvati, which is now Charsadda and Mardan. Several important sites exist in Takht Bhai, Jamal Garhi and Shahbaz Garhi. Even Hund in Swabi was, as per archaeologists, the last capital of the civilisation.

All the cultural artefacts recovered during excavations can be found at Peshawar Museum which was constructed in 1911. It has an eclectic mix of the typical Victorian and Islamic architecture.

Collection encased

As per officials of the museum, the items in the museum include Gandhara sculptures, coins, manuscripts, weapons, jewellery and artefacts from the Kalash valleys and Mughal era.



The collection is classified into five sections – Gandhara, Coins, Islamic, Ethnological and Iranian. It is one of the largest collections in the entire province.

“There is very little awareness among the public about museums and its importance,” said Nawazuddin, a museum official.

Workshop

In Mardan, the day was celebrated at Abdul Wali Khan University.

In this regard, a workshop was held where the participants were briefed on the theme for the year.

On the occasion, Abdul Wali Khan University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Ihsan Ali said it is of highest importance to make the coming generations aware about culture and heritage. “We need to keep our history alive and protected.”

Students paid a visit to the museum of Abdul Wali Khan University. A musical programme was also arranged by the students of Pakhtunkhwa College of Arts at the end of the event.

According to the website of ICOM, the day is commemorated every year since 1977 to raise awareness on how important museums are for the development of a society.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2016.