Residents of twin cities to discover European culture, cuisine and colours at family festival
Zubair Qureshi
The European missions in Pakistan are set to showcase their rich culture and traditions through food, art, culture and heritage at the EuroVillage being organized on Saturday (tomorrow) afternoon.
After a gap of three years, the EU and the member states are resuming the EuroVillage tradition that offers a window into their rich culture and celebrates “unity in diversity”, a strong connection between EU and Pakistan, said a press statement issued by the EU office Islamabad on Thursday.
The doors will open at 3pm to welcome the Pakistani public to get a taste of European lifestyle.
This year’s EuroVillage will be special as the European Union is celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan.
The six decades of partnership in development, trade and political engagement show how the EU and Pakistan are stronger together. One highlight will be the EU-Pakistan friendship truck, which will be presented to the public for the first time before setting out to tour the country to engage with Pakistanis across all provinces and to present what EU – Pakistan relations are about.
EuroVillage is organized by the diplomatic missions of the European Union and of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Sweden.
It will include information and activity booths for both adults and children with interactive games, selfie corners, food and an opportunity to meet the diplomatic team and learn about areas of partnership.
While talking to Pakistan Observer, a number of ambassadors and diplomats of France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Norway and Italy said they were making special arrangements to attract the visitors to their stalls that will be set up during the Eurovillage family festival at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
Ambassador Nicolas Galey of France while talking to Pakistan Observer said the Pakistani visitors particularly the youth could learn about the tremendous opportunities in education at the French universities.
Besides, the French food and culture are something that one will never like to miss and we have made adequate preparations to introduce them to our valued visitors, he said.
German Ambassador Alfred Grannas also termed the EuroVillage a great opportunity to introduce his country’s rich practices in education, health, science and technology, etc. Germany and Pakistan he said are trusted friends and bilateral relations between the two are growing steadily.
The event will end with live performances by European performers and Pakistani artists including Asim Azhar and Shae Gill.
