Timed with the celebrations of 26th anniversary of Iranian Islamic revolution, a three-day (February 7-9) Iranian film festival was arranged for the enlightenment of the Lahoris. Despite the far off location of the venue of the screening from the hub of the city, the festival attracted a large number of discerning viewers.
Among the film producing countries of the world Iran ranks tenth and the quality of its movies have won recognition and kudos from various festivals held in different countries. Included among movies screened at the festival were Rang-e-Khuda, which was nominated for Oscar awards. Another Iranian film, which has won international recognition, was based on Oscar Wildes play, "The Importance of Being Earnest:" albeit with Iranian background and flavour.
A musical evening aimed at raising funds for tsunami victims was sponsored by Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry on February 8 at the joint premises of the French Cultural Center and the Goethe Institute, Lahore. Well known Italian pianists Gianni Della Libera and Alberto Crivellari enthralled the 300 plus attendees with their ebullient melodic prowess. A contributor dinner with Italian cuisines followed their performances.
Donations amounting to Rs 2.5 million were collected and handed over to an official of the Indonesian Embassy by Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry after dinner. The function held under the joint sponsorship of French Cultural Center and the Goethe Institute was one of the many, which were held in Lahore recently where handsome amounts in donation were made by the citizens to alleviate the sufferings of tsunami victims.
The Japanese calendars exhibition, now an annual feature, was held on February 8, at the Art Gallery of Lahore Arts Council, which was thronged by art lovers of Lahore. Sponsored jointly by Japanese Embassy, the Pakistan-Japan Cultural Association and Monbukagakusho Alumni Association of Pakistan, the calendars displayed at the exhibition depicted various facets of Japan. A little over 100 calendars provided insights into Japanese life, beautiful landscape, traditional Japanese gardens, and the snow-capped views of lakes and coastlines.
The other exhibition, which was opened at Alhamra Art Gallery on February 10 related to digital photography, which was jointly sponsored by local British Council, Messrs. Kodak Limited Pakistan, Photojournalists Association and the Lahore Arts Council. It seemed to be a continuation of a series of interactive training workshops organised in different cities earlier by British Council on digital photography for photojournalists, which covered a wide range of digital photography.
A solo exhibition of the works of a Karachi-based artist G.N. Qazi held last week at the Croweaters Gallery in Lahore also attracted the attention of discriminating viewers. Qazi seemed to be fascinated by the architecture of historic buildings of ancient cities, which have survived the vicissitudes of time and history. He used both colour and oil mediums to highlight his creative expression. All the 22 works of the painter from Karachi displayed in the exhibition portrayed street scenes and gates of old dilapidated buildings, which have braved the erosion of time. The exhibition was closed on February 12.
The message given by Sufi poet Baba Fariduddin Shakargang to shun hypocrisy was the thrust of speeches delivered at the first national seminar held at Lahore Arts Council on February 11 under the sponsorship of the newly formed Punjab Forum. The discussants dilated on the message of love and tolerance given by all Sufi saints, who emerged from the land of the five rivers during the past centuries. Selected works of poetry composed by Baba Farid was rendered by a number of well known folk singers to remind the attendees of the enduring import and impact of the messages of the great saint.