The Indonesian Embassy’s stall at the Gandhara Civilization Festival 2023 was the highlight of the festival, attracting large crowds throughout the duration of the event.
The embassy is participating in the seven-day event, from January 29 to February 4. More than 30 stalls have been set up, including sculpture, stone carving, gemstones, handmade paintings, and Gandhara art to highlight the heritage of the existence of Gandhara civilization in Pakistan.
The Indonesian stall showcasing the rich cultural heritage and diversity of the Southeast Asian country featured traditional Indonesian handicrafts, clothing, and musical instruments, giving festival-goers a glimpse into the vibrant cultural heritage of Indonesia. The stall also featured a 3D model of the Borobudur temple which is the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
Visitors were also treated to traditional Indonesian cuisine and live musical performances, featuring conventional Indonesian instruments such as gamelan and angklung. Visitors were particularly impressed by the intricate designs and intricate handiwork displayed at the stall, with many expressing an interest in learning more about Indonesian culture.
Embassy officials stated that their goal for participating in the festival was to promote Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage and to increase awareness about the country’s vibrant history and traditions. They also expressed gratitude for the warm reception they received and the desire to participate in future cultural events to further promote Indonesia’s cultural heritage.
The Gandhara Civilization Festival, held annually, celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Gandhara civilization, which flourished in the region over two thousand years ago. This year’s festival featured stalls from various countries.
The festival is organized by the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) with an aim to promote Pakistan as a custodian of the Gandhara Civilisation to encourage religious tourism as a global symbol of peace and harmony.
Activities of the week-long festival include:
- Master artisan at work
- Gandhara art exhibition and book fair
- Folk dances
- Documentaries screening on the Gandhara civilization
- Traditional food stalls
- Panel discussions on Gandhara
- Performance of local singers
- Mehfil e Samaa by Imran Aziz Mian
- Mushaira
- Folk Music night by Rahat Bano Multanikar
- Sufi night by Sawaal band, and
- Drama Ashoka The Great