2022 International Conference and Art Festival
Fostering Social Cohesion and Interfaith Dialogue
A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY, ART, AND ARCHITECTURE
The 2022 International Conference and Art Festival in Islamabad was held to shine a spotlight on Pakistan's Gandhara Buddhist heritage, highlighting its potential for peace, development, and academic inquiry. This event brought together a diverse group of participants, including local and international scholars, experts, artists, religious leaders, and followers, all of whom contributed to discussions on the Gandharan Buddhist legacy, encompassing history, philosophy, art, and architecture. The sessions aimed to foster social unity and interfaith dialogue in Pakistan, facilitating conversations among leaders from various faiths, including Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Sikhism. The art festival featured stunning representations of Gandhara's artistic beauty, created by both emerging and established artists. These works were exhibited at PNCA for two days. Following the conference, more than forty delegates participated in a spiritual journey to sacred Buddhist sites and museums in Taxila, Peshawar, Mardan, and Swat, which was seen as an inspiring and enlightening experience. Many attendees recommended that this 3-day trip should be organized in the future.
CONFERENCE THEMES
More than 50 local and international experts shared their research across various conference sessions, which allowed both in-person and online participation. The sessions were structured to facilitate multiple presentations on the central theme, followed by interactive Q&A discussions to deepen the understanding of each topic.
The Path of Buddhism
Buddhism in Pakistan
Evolution of Gandharan
The Role of Religion in Enhancing Social Cohesion
Exploring Pakistan's Potential
OPENING CEREMONY
The 2022 International Conference and Art Festival was officially opened by the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, on March 14, 2022, at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad. He was joined by the First Lady, Begum Samina Alvi. The event's distinguished guests, including Professor Muhammad Ali, Vice-Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Dr. Fasiha Ijlal Hussain, President of the Silk Road Centre, and Professor Ghani ur Rahman, Director of the Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations at QAU, welcomed the President and First Lady. Together, they inaugurated the art festival at PNCA's Main Gallery. The President and First Lady explored the exhibition, which featured a wide array of artistic expressions, from miniature paintings and photography to video installations and 3D-printed models of ancient Gandhara Buddhist monasteries and stupas. They interacted with the artists, praising their impressive efforts to showcase Pakistan's rich cultural and religious heritage.
After visiting the art exhibition, the President and First Lady proceeded to PNCA's main auditorium, where an audience of scholars, artists, Buddhist delegates, diplomats, senior officials, and students awaited the formal launch of the conference. In his keynote speech, President Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized Pakistan's status as a cradle of ancient civilizations, including Buddhism, and commended the event for its role in promoting religious tourism. He urged continued efforts to preserve and promote religious sites, fostering connections between people from different parts of the world.
