STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR : The formal launch of cultural, literary and artistic cooperation between Iranian cultural institutions and creative professionals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held at the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Peshawar.
The ceremony was attended by prominent artists, writers, painters, singers, poets and personalities associated with drama and film, as well as people from various walks of life.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Creative Art Association (Registered) Sajjad Ali Orakzai said the initiative marked the beginning of practical and sustained cultural engagement between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Iran.
He said the Gandhara and Persian civilisations represented two significant cultural traditions of the region, adding that developing links between the two through art, literature and culture was an important objective of the initiative.
He said future cooperation would include joint programmes, exhibitions, workshops, training sessions, literary gatherings, film programmes, exchanges of artists’ delegations and collaborative projects in different fields of art and culture.
He added that artists and creative professionals from different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would also be involved to promote the province’s cultural heritage and strengthen direct links with Iranian artists and cultural institutions.
Director General Culture and Tourism Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahid Khan Mohmand welcomed the initiative and said such activities were important for promoting the province’s culture, arts and creative talent.
He assured artists and cultural personalities of the province of all possible institutional support for positive and constructive activities.
Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ali Banafsh Khwa said cultural and artistic cooperation could play an important role in bringing the people of Iran and Pakistan, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, closer.
He described the initiative as a bridge between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Iran and called for expanding cooperation in art, literature, cinema, music and other cultural fields.
He said exchanges of artists and cultural personalities would enable creative professionals from both sides to benefit from each other’s experiences and artistic traditions.
Special souvenirs were presented to Consul General Ali Banafsh Khwa, Director General of the Cultural Centre of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr Hassan Chagami and Director General Culture and Tourism Authority Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shahid Khan Mohmand.
Souvenirs for the Secretary and Additional Secretary Culture, Tourism and Archaeology were received by Chief Planning Officer Basit Khan Khalil and Director Culture Muhammad Ali Syed respectively, as both officials were unable to attend due to an official meeting.
The event concluded with a screening of the classic Iranian historical film Kingdom of Solomon (Malek-e Soleiman), which was watched with keen interest by the participants. A tea reception was held after the screening.
Sajjad Ali Orakzai expressed the hope that the initiative would develop into a sustained cultural programme, creating international opportunities and stronger cultural links for artists, writers and creative professionals from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
