President Arif Alvi terms Lahore Biennale-02 ‘great event’

LAHORE: President Dr Arif Alvi has said art exhibitions like the Lahore Biennale-02 should be organised in the country.

These events help new artists showcase their works and provide a platform to people to visit events related to culture and traditions, added the president. He was speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the 2nd Lahore Biennale at Huzuri Bagh Lahore Fort on Sunday.

President Alvi said nothing was better than art and culture, which had potential to bring people together and strengthen social cohesion in society. He said it was important to encourage people to visit museums and other such places to connect themselves with history, art and culture.

Appreciating the Biennale, he said such events motivate people towards art and culture. “A lot of aspects of art and architecture needed to be explored," he added. “Pakistan is opening up; clouds of insecurity are no more here,” added the president.

He noted that artworks offer a welcome break from the humdrum of monotonous life and daily routine. He appreciated the restoration work undertaken at historic Wazir Khan Masjid and Shahi Hamam, which had attracted people towards these sites. He said that the Army Museum was also another worth visiting place in the city now. 

The president thanked Sheikha Hoor Al-Qasimi for her efforts for the Biennale and highlighting Lahore.

LB 2020 was a major showcase event not for Lahore but for Pakistan. Art lovers came from many countries and benefited from the exposure of our rich experiences. 

Another major aspect of this event was that it was in the walled city of Lahore, where the Aga Khan Trust for Culture has undertaken effort to help in the preservation of sites of cultural value and in preserving our heritage.

The keynote was given by Sultan Ali Allana, Chairman of Habib Bank and Director of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development.

Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) Director General Kamran Lashari, referring to Lahore Fort, said: "We have gathered at one of the oldest and richest spots which combine different religions and cultures." He said that at one side, there is great Badshahi Masjid and on the other, a Sikh Gurdawara. 

He said opening of Kartarpur was a great step in many aspects.

UAE Minister for Culture Sheikha Hoor Al-Qasimi, Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF) Director Mohsin Hamid, (LBF) Chairman Usman Khalid, LBF Executive Director Qudsia Rahim and others also spoke on the occasion.

This event was sponsored, like the previous one by HBL. 

"This was not about HBL selling its products or asking people to open accounts, it was to cement its resolve to work for the betterment of our society and to bring forward what is best," the HBL spokesperson added.