LAHORE CULTURAL DIARY: Exhibition of Morten Krogvold

An exhibition of photographs, army band contests, mushaira at a local college and preparations for annual Jashn-e-Baharaan were the highlights of the week ending January 30. A two-week exhibition of photographs by Norwegian photographer Morten Krogvold titled 'Women care' opened at Shakir Ali Museum on January 26. The inauguration ceremony was performed by Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan Jenis Kanavin, which was followed by a seminar on Human Rights and Art, organised by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.
Twenty-three black and white and three colour photographs were put on display at the exhibition, which was jointly sponsored by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad and Pakistan National Council of the Arts.
Born in 1950 Morten Krogvold is one of Norway's highly esteemed photographers. He is a lector in photography, teaching in both Norway and abroad. He has published many books, either alone or in cooperation with other writers.
Consensus among the speakers at the seminar was that human rights have always been an important subject of artistic expression through history. Speakers who took part in the discussion included
Norwegian Ambassador Janis Kanavin, art teacher Abdul Quddus, art critic Sarwat Ali and a renowned photographer Samiur Rehman. Ms. Saleema Hashmi, former Principal, National College of Arts acted as moderator.

****************The Norwegian Ambassador said that his country would continue extending support for the growth of contemporary arts and culture of Pakistan, adding that a festival of Pakistani arts and culture would be organised in Oslo this year in connection with the centenary celebrations of Norway's independence. He also said that his country would assist in the organising a Pakistani cultural festival in Islamabad in March.
****************Twenty-eight pipe bands and 15 brass bands from various regiments of Pakistan Army participated in the annual army band competitions, which began at Fortress Stadium, Lahore on January 26. Lilting marshal tunes based on a number of national songs enthralled a large number of people, who witnessed the contest. Introduced at the army level band competitions in 1962 band competitions have now become a regular annual feature.
The aim of organising these competitions is to create a healthy competitive spirit among army musicians and improve the standard of playing of bands, said an ISPR Press release. The mass band display and the final prize distribution ceremony will be held on February 8 at the Fortress Stadium in Lahore.
****************Addressing a Press Conference in Lahore on January 27, the Director-General of Parks and Horticulture Authority said that the Punjab Minister of Housing and Urban Development would inaugurate on January 30 annul Jashn-e-Baharaan (spring) festival amid display of traditional fireworks and acrobatics.
Cultural troupes from other provinces are participating in the festival for the enlightenment of local and foreign visitors. The two food streets of the city, Gowalmandi and Old Anarkali, Fort Road Heritage Street, Jail Road and Gulberg Main Boulevard have been tastefully decorated and ornamental gates erected at all the entrances to the city such as airport, railway stations, the bridge at the Ravi, Azadi Chowk, Thokar Niaz Baig, Chungi Amar Sidhu and Motorway to welcome visitors to the provincial metropolis.
The vivacious citizens of Lahore have won international acclaim for the love of arts, including poetry. Literary organisations of the city regularly hold mushairas at different auditoriums to provide healthy entertainment to the people. In line with this age old tradition the Urdu Club of Kinnaird College for Women, Lahore organised a poetic symposium (mushaira) at college premises at which humorous poet Anwar Masood enthralled the audience with his witty pieces of poetry. A number of poets of All Pakistan fame also recited their kalams (poetical works) at the mushaira.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2005