Jashn-e-Baharan to commence on Saturday

Two-day ‘Jashn-e-Baharan’ Festival will start from April 10 (Saturday) at the Art & Craft Village near Chand Tara, Shakarparian, as part of the CDA’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

The family gala is being managed by Mass Comm Solutions in collaboration with the Jang Group as the media partner of this mega event, says a press release issued by Potohari Art & Craft Village here on Wednesday.

The first-of-its-kind festival is likely to attract thousands of participants from the twin cities and adjacent areas to bridge the gap in festivities in the federal capital, and would provide out-of-home entertainment opportunity to the general public, particularly families.

The festival, being celebrated after a long recession in festivities due to the law and order situation, includes art and craft exhibitions, shopping stalls, kite-flying, food stalls, traditional swings, drum beating competition, live music, magic show, pony ride, face painting and puppet show.

Kite-flying will be arranged by the management inside the venue, banning the use of metal wire. “This innovative idea can lead further to safe ‘basant’ celebrations in future,” said Parveen Malik, Member Management Committee of Art & Craft Village and President Indus Heritage.

Potohari Art & Craft Village is the culmination of a vision, jointly shared by CDA and Indus Heritage Trust. The concept projects a rich heritage culture of Pakistan, which is as old as human civilisation itself. The ‘Village’ is the forerunner of similar outlets throughout the country that would provide a snapshot of the cultural identity of our great nation, Parveen Malik said.

She said the Art & Craft Village aims to serve as a 

showcase for the nation’s traditional craft and handloom heritage, and provide Islamabad with a unique shopping and entertainment experience, thereby building a demand for Pakistan’s traditional products and make the country’s dynamic ethnic legacy within reach.

It provides an income generation, retail outlet for artisans and creates a potential for them to share their craft and reap benefits, without being exploited and preserves Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage through design development, advice and support to make traditional crafts more marketable.

The Village also provides a market space as well as accommodation at subsidised rates for crafts persons from all over Pakistan. Themed on a rotational basis, it will give an opportunity for visitors to appreciate the unique art & craft traditions of Pakistan, Parveen Malik said.

It provides local and international artists with studio facilities and affordable space for exhibitions and accommodation at the planned ‘Artist’s Retreat’ in addition to arranging workshops for students in arts, crafts and performing arts, she said.