Meeting stresses need for reclaiming cultural spaces

ISLAMABAD: Autaq, a think tank of Lok Virsa, held its first consultative meeting on reclaiming cultural spaces at Zarsanga Hall of National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage on Wednesday.

Research papers were presented in the consultative meeting by the members of the forum on reclaiming cultural spaces.

LoK  Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed and other members of the think tank including Shahid Nadeem Shareef Awan, NiazNadeem, Nazar Nigar, Zubair Torwali, Farhan Bogra, Zaigham Khan,Talha Ali Khan and Maheela Hussain attended the meeting.

It was stated that Pakistan had a strong tradition of cultural expression in the form of art, music, literature, dance and other forms of creative expression.

The paper emphasised that as Pakistan turns 70 this year, it was time to reflect on its cultural identity as much as its political and social journey.

Dr Saeed said that Lok Virsa had started networking of cultural organisations of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) under the project Autaq in order to bring them closer to understand each others’ culture and celebrate diversity.

"This will help in creating harmony among different people and communities," she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2017.