The Charge d'affairs of Switzerland Tim Enderlin will open the photographic exhibition "Borders and Beyond" on Monday, 11 October at 5:00 pm at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar.
The exhibition, a joint venture of the Embassy of Switzerland and the Pakistan National Council of Arts, was produced by the Swiss Arts Council, Public Relations Officer Helvetia and the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation which is part of the Swiss Federal Development Department of Foreign Affairs. It has already been successfully displayed in several places in Europe, Africa and Asia ie, India, Bangladesh and in Islamabad.
Eleven renowned international photographers and authors illustrate by artistic means how borders determine people's destiny in different parts of the world. The photographs tell us stories about migration, desperation, border conflicts and isolation, about people who managed to get beyond the borders and others who stayed behind, about their aspiration, hopes and deceptions.
The subject of borders might be of special interest to anyone as in today's globalised world most of the people still encounter borders in some way. This cultural event might also be an occasion to raise one's awareness of what complex issue of borders and therefore, the exhibition offers a fascinating diversity of photographs.
Of particular interest for the Pakistani public might be the photo essay by the Indian photographer Sharmistha Sarkar who captured her impression when she was on a visit to Pakistan in January 2004. Her team was also invited by the Karachi High School to take part in the 5th International Schools' Educational Olympiad. Her contribution reflects her experience of crossing the India-Pakistan border and her stay in Pakistan.
The exhibition will be on display in Peshawar until Sunday, October 17, 2004. After Islamabad and Peshawar, it will move to Lahore (Shakir Ali Museum) from November 23 till December and Quetta (Balochistan Arts Council) from December 9 to December 14 and Karachi (Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture) from December 21 to 29.