Historic heritage may be mapped all over again

Iranian calligraphy exhibition held to strengthen ties between both the countries

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister of Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood said that calligraphy is a major part of our cultural heritage. The minister said this while speaking during an exhibition of Iranian calligraphy arranged with the partnership of Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) and Embassy of Iran in Pakistan.

The minister said that the historic heritage of Pakistan would be mapped and registered all over again to pass on knowledge about its heritage to the next generations.

He further stated that cultural institutions were presenting indigenous culture very effectively. The minister also praised the modern spin put into calligraphy created more recently.

The works of renowned Iranian calligraphers were displayed at the exhibition.

Mahmood said that there were many cultural similarities between the two neighbors and vowed the cooperation of both countries in other fields as well.

The Ambassador of Iran Mehdi Hunar Mand said that Iran-Pakistan relations were very old and historic while he expressed the hope that their bond would strengthen with the passage of time.

He appreciated the exhibition of Iranian calligraphy and informed that Iranian calligraphers would also train youngsters in Pakistan.

The Iranian calligraphers Ahmed Ali Baroti and Ahmed Paver said Pakistan was a friendly neighbor.

They said that they had been linked with calligraphy for a very long period and said that their aim was to transfer this skill to Pakistani youngsters as well.

They further added that Quranic verses and Persian poetry were the basis of their skills and art.

They rejoiced at the religious and cultural bond between Iran and Pakistan and expressed that there were many cultural similarities between the two neighbors.

Furthermore, they expressed that Pakistani calligraphers were also very famous in their country and stated that they both felt that their work was also widely appreciated in Pakistan and the most significant thing for an artist was to receive acknowledgment for his work, they added.

They termed Pakistan as their second home and vowed to visit again.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2019.