Gilgit-Baltistan: Festival on Culture for Peace and Pluralism

ISLAMABAD (D.Times): The people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral are holding a two-day festival of their cultural life, covering their arts, crafts, literature, language and cuisine in the federal capital.
The mountain communities of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral have diverse and unique cultures that are very different from those of other Himalayan people. They are also distinct in the sense they have remained in virtual isolation due to their inaccessibility and therefore possess a pristine purity untainted by urban life of the plains.

The “Culture for Peace and Pluralism” festival is being organised by the Initiative for Promotion of Pamiri Arts and Culture (IPPAC) in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority, to mark the International Mother Tongue Day.
The objective of the festival is the promotion of understanding, peace and harmony at a time when these values have suffered immensely at the hands of extremist forces and to highlight the challenges that the culture and languages of the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral face. Renowned poets, linguists, singers and musicians of Shina, Balti, Khowar, Brushaski and Wakhi languages from across Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral will highlight the importance of preserving and promoting indigenous cultures and languages. There will be live performances of these arts and crafts for the residents of the twin cities, the diplomatic community and especially aficionados of remote cultures.