Heritage works exhibited in Chitral

CHITRAL: Laajverd, a civil society organisation working for heritage conservation, on Wednesday exhibited the works after a six months’ research and 10-day Making Lab Residency Programme at the Harchin village of Laspur valley in Upper Chitral. 

The exhibition showcased works produced by designers and artists who worked in collaboration with women weavers in Laspur valley. Community elders, government officials and schoolchildren participated in the event.

This activity was conducted under the “Community-Based Conservation of Silk Route Heritages” Project being implemented by Laajverd with the support of the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund 2024.

The project is being carried out for the preservation of heritage assets that evoke the historical Silk Routes exchanges within the Hindu Kush Himalaya region by focusing on three sites; Laspur, Yasin and Kharmang.

In Laspur valley, the asset that has been conserved is the woven cloth (Shu) which is a testament to the cross-fertilization and innovation that occurred due to the Silk Routes exchanges.

To conserve this diminished asset, detailed documentation and condition assessment were carried out whilst exploring innovation in production techniques, materials, and tools, leading to the preservation and refinement of Lasprikan Shu. Laajverd has had a commitment to preserving culture and heritage in Laspur valley. In 2018, it designed, constructed and curated the Heritage Museum Laspur.

The Community Conservation Lab at Laajverd serves as a platform for collaborative and inclusive exploration, investigation, and experimentation in heritage conservation.Set up in the Hindu Kush Himalaya mountain region, it emphasizes preserving community heritage, which includes buildings, objects and practices.