Sada-e-Watan
Sydney ™
sadaewatan@gmail.com
PAKISTAN’S 70TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
High Commissioner Syed Ibne Abbas
A brief report about the good activities of Pakistan High Commission London UK
Pakistan High Commission, London chalked out an elaborate calendar of events for 2017 to celebrate Pakistan’s 70th Independence Anniversary in the UK. The brief detail of the events is given below.
1. London’s New Year’s Day Parade
The High Commission started the
celebrations with participation in historic London’s New Year’s Day Parade
(LNYDP) on 1ST January 2017. The Pakistan segment featured music, dance,
cultural dresses, horse dance on drum beats and Qawwali performance. About
600,000 spectators assembled on both sides of the London roads cheered the
Pakistani performers, and about 300 TV channels telecast the parade live. The
BBC gave it special coverage. Due to this event, Pakistan remained on top of
the Google and other search engines on the Internet. Presence of Pakistan at
the world's greatest street spectacular was quite an occasion to show the true
image of Pakistan to an international audience.
2. Pakistan Fashion Week at Lancaster
House
The High Commission held the Pakistan
Fashion Week in May this year at the London's historic Lancaster House Palace.
This was a real turn around in Pakistan's cultural diplomacy abroad. A large
number of Diplomats from London based Missions, Parliamentarians, leading
fashion designers, representatives of media and a cross-section of the British
society and diaspora were in attendance.
Over forty of Pakistan's top
designers presented their latest collections, with leading models on the ramp
at prestigious Lancaster House, overlooking Buckingham Palace.
One way to
gauge the significance of the show is that the BBC World TV, allocated 10
minutes exclusive coverage for this show during its prime
time.
3. "Emerging
Pakistan” Branding on London’s iconic double-decker
Buses
London’s
iconic red double-decker buses are carrying brand Pakistan on the roads of
Central London, the hub of 20 million tourists. This ultimate branding campaign
is running under the theme of “Emerging Pakistan” and will continue for four
weeks, until 24 July 2017.
Fully wrapped double-decker buses are
showcasing the pristine beauty of Pakistan with its highest peaks, beautiful
landscape, rare fauna, monuments representing ancient civilization, magnificent
architecture and rich and diverse culture. The moving buses are creating
unparalleled lasting visual impact on millions of pedestrians and motorists
alike, especially on the tourists.
The bus wrapping campaign aims to
introduce the foreign tourists to the beautiful land of Pakistan which still
remains unexplored. Meanwhile the amazingly wrapped buses carrying Pakistan’s
images have already gone viral on social media.
The recent social uplift
and economic prosperity in Pakistan underpins the theme of the campaign i.e.
"Emerging Pakistan", as acknowledged by many independent international
organisations.
This campaign has been sponsored by Bestway
Group.
4. Quaid-i-Azam’s Bust at Lincoln’s Inn
The High Commission for Pakistan in
London, after a two years negotiations with the administration of the Lincoln’s
Inn, embarked upon a project to install the bust of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali
Jinnah at his alma mater, the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn of London.
The
installation of the bust in the library of the Inn in Sept/Oct 2017, will be a
befitting tribute to the Founding Father of the nation. Besides, the
installation of the Quaid's bust would send a powerful message of inclusiveness
and cohesion to the strong British Pakistani diaspora of over 1.2 million. It
would also add to the rich cultural mosaic of London, where a number of statues
of international figures have been installed to celebrate their
achievements.
5. Pakistan Society Annual Dinner
The Pakistan Society and the Pakistan
High Commission jointly held the Annual Dinner in June this year. The highlight
of the event was that Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip graced the occasion.
This was one of his last public engagements before retiring from such
commitments. The Duke presented Syed Babar Ali of Pakistan, The Pakistan
Society Award, for his educational and philanthropic
services.
6.
ISHQ – Anglo Sufi Musical based on folk lore of Heer
Ranjha
ISHQ is London's first ever Anglo
Punjabi Sufi Musical, to be brought to the stage by the High Commission for
Pakistan, London, as the Grand Finale of celebrations for Pakistan’s 70th
Independence Anniversary this year. It will be presented at London’s
prestigious Sadler’s Wells Theatre from 7-9 September 2017. The Sufi Musical
has been produced by Serendip Productions, an international award-winning
company from Pakistan.
The legend of Heer Ranjha, written by great sufi
saint and poet Waris Shah will bring home the Sufi and peace-loving tradition
of our culture. The Musical features specially commissioned music and
choreography from across Pakistan and the UK. Using Punjabi colloquium and set
against the beautiful backdrops of the Punjab, ISHQ combines classical and
modern dance with a unique blend of poetry and fusion music. One of the most
famous romantic folk legends of the East will be brought to life through
multimedia, special effects, stunning dances and original music supported by a
live choir.
7. Ongoing Socio-Cultural Events
Besides, this year the High Commission and its four Consulates have organized several socio-cultural events and will continue to do so during the remaining part of the year. These events, among others, include art exhibitions, Urdu Mushairas, book launches, and talks on national heroes.
Video Watch:
If you would like to watch the Video, please click on this link of Sada e Watan Sydney:
Pakistan at London New Year's Day Parade 2017
https://www.facebook.com/phclondon1/videos/vb.773752155974740/1582558431760771/?type=2&theater
“Emerging Pakistan” Branding on London's iconic Double-Decker Buses
https://www.facebook.com/phclondon1/videos/1788266294523316/
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Pakistan High Commission London participated in London's New Year's Day Parade on 1st January 2017
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Pakistan High Commission London held
Pakistan Fashion Week at prestigious Lancaster House of London on 21-22 May
2017
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Pakistan branding on London's Double Decker Buses to promote tourism in Pakistan
in the months of June and July 2017. This campaign was organised by Pakistan
High Commission London
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High Commission for Pakistan London UK
