ISLAMABAD (INP): Pakistan is culturally a very rich country, as it possesses a diversity of cultural goods and services that has a huge potential for being harnessed for economic, social and sustainable development.
\nThis was stated by Ambassador of Denmark, Ole Thonke during his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, where he met with the Hashoo Foundation (HF), a partner of the Danish Centre for Culture and Development (CKU) working to promote art and culture in Pakistan.
\nTalking to representatives from the Hunza Arts and Culture Council, Ghizer Arts and Culture Council & KADO officials, including local artisans, the Ambassador was apprised about the deep-rooted imprints, which the Danish supported program is having on the cultural canvas of the region.
\nBulbul Jan Shams, Regional Program Manager, HF highlighted that Denmark\u2019s support had played an important role in reviving old cultural festivals for social and sectarian harmony, which had faded away over the past many decades.
\nAmbassador Thonke appreciated the richness o the region stating that his recent visit to the mountains of the GB and meeting local people had truly impressed him. \u201cLocal culture and traditions are important part of any society as it is the root to how societies are built and how people form opinions and build relations.
\nDenmark fully believes that art and culture are important means to bridge differences, to create tolerance, and ultimately to provide economic opportunities for communities as well as individuals\u201d, said Ambassador Thonke.
\nHe shared that the Government of Denmark is proud to be supporting art and culture in Pakistan that focus on supporting minorities, as well as women, youth, local artists and artisans, entrepreneurs and civil society organizations by providing larger access to art, culture and creative industries and public-private partnerships.
\nHe also appreciated the local government\u2019s efforts to facilitate and fully participate in the cultural activities supported by the program. \u201cGilgit Baltistan is indeed a jewel in the art and cultural sector of Pakistan and can become a driving force for economic empowerment benefiting local communities and Pakistan at large\u201d said Ambassador Thonke.
\nThrough the Danish supported program, local artisans also received training in stone carving, wood carving and traditional music, including on creating value chain and enterprise development for Sustainable conomic empowerment. As a result of these trainings, several business groups have been formed in the region to further promote the value chain of local products and services.
\nThe Ambassador\u2019s visit was further appreciated through various performances done by local artists, including the performance of renowned singer, Ayoub Mutasir.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD (INP): Pakistan is culturally a very rich country, as it possesses a diversity of cultural goods and services that has a huge potential for being harnessed for economic, social and sustainable development. This was stated by Ambassador of Denmark, Ole Thonke during his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, where he met with the Hashoo Foundation (HF), […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6256","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n