Qila Mubarak to host 1st Int’l Contemporary Arts Forum

The historic Qila Mubarak is all set to host the first international contemporary arts forum on March 3 and March 4.

This is the first time that the historic fort will be presented to history and culture aficionados in this engaging manner, unlocking the untapped tourism potential of Punjab, State Tourism and Culture Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said at a Press conference.

The inaugural event will be marked by opening remarks from Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, along with the Greek Ambassador and the Consul General Canada.

A souvenir book will be launched during the event, which will also witness a special programme on March 5 for the visiting dignitaries in Chandigarh, where they will be taken through a special tour of Pierre Jeanneret’s contribution to Chandigarh, along with high tea at the Raj Bhavan with the Punjab Governor.

The event, which will bring together internationally reputed cultural representatives, including, artists, museum directors, musicians, historians and curators, is being organised in collaboration with several embassies, and is supported by Punjab government. Among the participants are Greece, Canada, Swiss Arts Council, Goethe Instut and Asia Society.

The programme will be marked by panel discussions and presentations that explore Punjab’s culture and history through artifacts, films and architecture, in the framework of “Punjab as Protagonist” and “Hybrid Aesthetics”. It will see the representation of five major world museums (Denmark, Greece, UK, USA, Canada), 11 international film artists, 3 international performance artists and 3 Indian performance artists.

Giving details, Sarah Singh, founder-director of Panorama Punjab and noted international artist herself, said a major highlight of the programme will be a curated exhibition of international film work by female artists from around the world. Besides Sarah, the international artists would also include Meghan Boody, Carla Gannis, Gudrun Barenbrock, and Bahar Behabani, among others.

The event, which is open to all and has no entry fee, will conclude on Saturday evening with a Bossa Nova Jazz concert by a trio from Belgium - the Bossa Brothers. Sunday evening will conclude with classical music that explores the musical connections from Iran to Afghanistan via Punjab and Kashmir, with noted instrumentalists on the Tombak, Esraj, Santoor, Tabla and Rubab.