Art and culture bring communities closer: envoy

Islamabad : Swiss Ambassador Georg Steiner opened a two-day arts and crafts festival here on Saturday, emphasising that art and culture are powerful tools for promoting understanding among communities and strengthening their ties.

"This festival is an excellent platform to showcase the creativity and strength of Pakistan's artisans, especially women who are using their craft to drive economic and social change," the ambassador told the event.

Artisans and women entrepreneurs from across the country, including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, have displayed their exquisite work in jewellery and textiles there, showcasing Pakistan's diverse artistic traditions.

Organisers said the festival, for which Serena Hotels collaborated with Nomad Gallery under its Culture Diplomacy initiative, was a vibrant celebration of culture, artistry, and women’s empowerment.

According to them, the event marks a significant milestone with Nomad Gallery celebrating 40 years of creating a space for artistic voices and supporting women's empowerment within the cultural sphere.

It also features the beauty of the Kalash people and their cultural contributions with the screening of the award-winning documentary, Discovering Greater Chitral, which celebrates the natural beauty and heritage of the region.

The organisers said the festival offered a dynamic showcase of handicrafts, textiles, design aesthetics, and contemporary art, focusing on women’s economic empowerment and cultural preservation.