Cultural diplomacy: China interested to showcase Pak’s cultural diversity

Wraa Noor

ISLAMABAD: The culture of Pakistan emanates diversity and exuberance in all forms, be it music, arts, films, and food cuisines.

The Chinese Silk Road Belt and Road Arts Centre in Langfang Hebei province seems quite impressed by this cultural diversity, due to the reason the centre management has expressed a desire to showcase Pakistan’s cuisine, music and films in China to deepen cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two countries.

Pakistan Ambassador to China Moinul Haque during his recent visit to Hebei province of China visited various sections of the centre and appreciated its state-of-the-art facilities.

General Manager Hu and Director of International Arts Claudia Yang briefed the Ambassador on the role of Arts Centre for popularising performing arts of China and different countries.

Appreciating the role of the Silk Road Belt and Road Arts Centre, Moinul Haque highlighted the affinity between the culture and artistic styles of Pakistan and China and their role in solidifying bilateral relations between the two countries.

He expressed hope that the Centre would continue its endeavours for acting as a bridge between diverse cultures and civilisations of the world, and for fostering a spirit of friendly sentiments between them. Both sides also discussed plans for organising events this year to promote Pakistan’s culture and history in China.

From Abida Perveen Qawwali to Coke Studio

Pakistan, located in the centre of the South Asian Subcontinent, is a land of cultural diversity and many splendours. It’s a country with a distinct history and culture. The culture of the country has evolved through thousands of years, with different civilizations in the region influencing everything from cuisine to music to literature and art.

Pakistani music is diverse and rich, and it is a national treasure that every Pakistani is proud of. From traditional singing styles like Qawwali to folk music and Urdu melodies, Sufi music, Qawwali, and Ghazal are world-renowned, with legends such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Noor Jehan, and the Sabri brothers leaving their mark on audiences all over the world.  In contemporary forms of music, Rahat Fateh Ali, Atif Aslam, and many more have created extraordinary music that is enjoyed by listeners all over the world.

Music is not limited to classical genres; performers in the past and present have explored pop, rock, jazz, folk, blues, and country to satisfy the public’s musical desires. Non-Pakistanis and non-Urdu speakers alike have flocked to Pakistani TV shows like Coke Studio, which have gained millions of followers worldwide and locally.

From ‘A Girl in the River’ to ‘Aik Thi Negar’

Pakistan presents its cultural diversity via its film industry as well. It has utilized ‘Screen Tourism’ in projecting its identity as a peaceful, picturesque and beautiful country. Some recent achievements of the film industry are worth mentioning that signifies a global breakthrough of unimaginable dimensions for a relatively small Pakistani movie industry.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary ‘A Girl in the River’ won the 2016 Academy Award for Best Documentary. ‘Joyland’, has won the country’s first-ever award at the Cannes Film Festival 2022, eliciting joy across the country. The film, which unlocked a key milestone, features a bold portrait of a transgender dancer in a Muslim country.

A telefilm, ‘Aik Hai Nigar’, has won Best Asian Film at the prestigious Septimius Awards this year. The biopic honours the life and works of Major General Nigar Johar, the first female officer promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. Last year, an animated comedy film, ‘Donkey King’, became the best-performing Pak film with record box office sales in China.

From ‘Balochi Sajji’ to ‘Peshawari Chapal Kabab’

Pakistani cuisine is a fusion of the Indian subcontinent’s numerous regional cuisines. It has recently become a trend for foreign food bloggers to travel to Pakistan in order to explore the native cuisine. In 2019, Mark Weins, a Thailand-based food and travel writer, visited the country and described his experience on the cuisine he ate throughout his tour, which he filmed.

The foods he savoured to his heart during his trip to Lahore and other locations may be listed indefinitely. To give you a flavour of what he gave his appetite, here are a few of the delicacies: Sadiq Halwa, Pera Lassi, Kulfi, Channa Chat Butt Karahi Khalifa Balochi Sajji. Another foreign foodie global traveler hailing from China, Trevor James, shared the similar experience and hailed the local cuisine.

Last year, Australian YouTuber Luke Damant made his way to Pakistan after spending an ample amount of time in India a year ago. He saw ‘cheese paratha’ being offered at a nearby eatery and immediately ordered it. He fell in love with it right away, much to his surprise! Luke mentions in one of his vlogs that when he returns to Australia, he will open a cheese paratha restaurant. He also enjoyed ‘Nutella paratha’ in Islamabad and stated it was the ideal dessert.

The co-star of the world-famous Turkish series Ertugrul, Esra Bilgic aka Halima Sultan also visited Pakistan and tried the top Pakistani dishes Chicken including Karahi, Gol Gappay, Jalebi, and the nation’s favourite Biryani, only to fall in love with them. She selected ‘Biryani’ as her number one Pakistani dish.