Art festival comes to Shah Allah Ditta caves

International dance ensemble performs at the historic site


APP November 27, 2019
A view of the ancient Shah Allah Ditta caves. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The international artists, who are participating in the Islamabad Art Festival 2019, performed to the beat of a traditional drum (dhol) at the historic Shah Allah Ditta Caves on Tuesday evening.

The special performance came as Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Deputy Mayor Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi hosted a special reception for the participating artists and organisers of the festival including artists from Mexico, USA, Brazil, United Kingdom, China and Japan.

Naqvi said that the IMC is making all possible efforts despite its limited means to provide all possible support to the management of the festival.

International dance ensemble’s, Ballet Beyond Borders’ Brazilian artist Julia told the media that she had an amazing time performing in Pakistan. She said they were enjoying everything as people were very kind and friendly here.

Islamabad Art Festival President and Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Director General Syed Jamal Shah said the idea of hosting an international art festival in the federal capital was to bring artists from across the world together.

He added that more than 230 artists from different countries had participated in the festival.

"We are lucky to have them here to establish artistic and cultural links with them so that we can continue a dialogue for years to come," he said, adding, "the dialogue will be productive and encourages us to come closer together."

"Pakistanis are living in a great country which has a great culture," said Prof Dr Michel Walentin.

Later, the artists of 'Ballet Beyond Borders' (BBB) also performed at a local hotel to immense appreciation from the audience.  

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27th, 2019.

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