With a career spanning over 30 years ,Gonzalo Ruiz Navarro is a celebrated Spanish artist renowned for his impressionist oil and pastel paintings. His exceptional work has not only garnered numerous awards but has also been showcased in prestigious galleries across the United States, Europe, and most recently at the PNCA, Pakistan.

Gonzalo’s artistic journey began with his studies in Fine Arts in Spain, and since then, he has participated in 55 exhibitions. In addition to his artistic achievements, Gonzalo has devoted over 26 years to teaching painting through classes, lectures, and workshops.

We are privilged to have him with us to share his insights and experiences!

Documentary & Panel Discussion

• In collaboration with Serena Hotel

SWAT VALLEY

EXPLORING THE AMAZING ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES!

2 Days/ 1 Night

Foreign members: Please apply for their NOC well in time.

Described as “Udyana” (the garden) in ancient Hindu epics, Swat is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in northern Pakistan..The area is full of rich archaeological sites ,in an environment still intact and dominated by the calm majesty of Mount Ilam!

In 327 BC, Alexander the Great fought and won some of his major battles in the area, before crossing over to the plains of the Punjab. The famous Gandhara Buddhist civilization also flourished in this valley. There are many remains of Buddhist stupas, monasteries and settlements in lower Swat. In the area south of Barikot- in about 200 sq km- archeologists have documented more than 400 sites from proto-history to Islam!

In a joint venture, Italian ACT- Field School Project and Sustainable Tourism Foundation Pakistan is working to promote community based ecotourism in the area of Lower Swat Valley.

Please Note: The trip involves hiking to reach to the view points on the archaeological sites , so wear appropriate walking shoes. Detailed trip joining instructions will be issued to the confirm trip participants well in time.

Trip Itinerary

Day-1

· Departure from Islamabad at 07:30 am

· En-route commentary about sites

· Visit archaeological site of Takht-e-Bahi near Mardan

· Carry refreshments for en route ( Lunch)

· Visit archaeological site of Bazira near Barikot

· Continue travel towards Mingora/Saidu Sharif

· Visit Shingardar Stupa.

· Arrival at Mingora/Saidu Sharif in the evening.

· Transfer to hotels.

· Dinner and night stay at hotel.

Day-2

· Breakfast at hotel.

· Visit Swat Museum

· Visits Batkara Stupa

· Visit Jahanabad Buddha

· Visit shops of handicrafts en route.

· Lunch at hotel along Swat river

· Return to hotel for rest

· Departure for visit to Muraghzar to visit White Place of Wali Swat

· Return to hotel and dinner and night stay at hotel.

Day-3

· Breakfast at hotel.

· Check out from hotel

· Arrival Udegram

· Visit archaeological sites of Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi’s Mosque

· Visit remains of Raja Gira’s Castle (short hike involve)

· Visit Galeghai cave and Buddha image on rock along the road.

· Departure for Amluk-dara Stupa.

· Visit Amluk-dara Stupa

· Carry pack Lunch to save time

· Stop en-route for tea etc.

· Estimated time of arrival of group at Islamabad at around 6:30 pm

Duration: 1 hr 54 min

Director: Mira Nair

Screenplay: Sabrina Dhawan

Award: Venice Film Festival: Best Picture Golden Lion Award

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Lillete Dubey, Shefali Shah, Vijay Raaz, Tillotama Shome, Vasundhara Das, Parvin Dabas, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Rajat Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, Roshan Seth,Soni Razdan, Ram Kapoor & Renuka

Monsoon wedding is an International co production invoving production companies from several countries.Though shot on location in Delhi , it can be considered an Indo-US-French-Dutch Co-Production reflecting its diverse funding and production sources.

Mira Nair plunges the audience straight into the joys and chaos of a Subcontinent wedding where things get tense among the family members when hidden agendas, secrets, and fears threaten to cause disruption and destroy family relationships for good.

Set in present day Delhi, this comedy-drama focuses on the Punjabi Verma family – led by the harassed father (Naseeruddin Shah) and mother (Lillete Dubey) - who are about to celebrate their daughter's marriage. With days to go, the final preparations are chaotically put in place amidst the arrival of the extended family.

The main theme is the healing power of unconditional love- the struggle between modern and traditional ways is one of the primary undercurrents ...the director cleverly uses the wedding as a guide to examine the stresses and strains that families can face- based in any part of the world!

Mira Nair directs with unflagging energy, style and pizzazz, periodically whisking her crew out into the teeming streets for external locations and using the real-life crowds as a seamlessly integrated real backdrop for her family drama. The screen is filled with blooming marigolds, blossoming romances... but every time "Monsoon Wedding" starts to seem candy-coated, Nair mixes romantic optimism and conflict, with the movie mirroring the violent weather season during which it is set...

• In collaboration with Alliance Francaise

Self Drive

Butterflies rely on gardens for survival, while gardens benefit from the ecological services butterflies provide. It's a beautiful example of symbiosis!

Butterflies and gardens have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Butterflies need gardens for:

• *Food*: Nectar from flowers for energy and host plants for caterpillars to feed on.
• *Shelter*: Plants provide shelter from wind, rain, and predators.
• *Breeding*: Gardens offer a place for butterflies to mate and lay eggs.

Gardens need butterflies for:

• *Pollination*: Like bees, butterflies transfer pollen between flowers, aiding plant reproduction.
• *Pest control*: Some butterfly caterpillars feed on pests, like aphids and whiteflies, helping to regulate their populations.
• *Ecosystem balance*: Butterflies contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of the garden ecosystem.

By creating butterfly-friendly gardens, we can support these magnificent creatures and enjoy the beauty and benefits they bring to our outdoor spaces!

After a successful project in Karachi the "Butterfly Effect" project has come to Islamabad! We will have the exclusive opportunity to visit the brand new 'Butterfly Conservatory' in the Islamabad Model School for Girls (NIH branch). These important pollinators are not only good for your garden, they have also helped with the development of young students!

• Please bring along refreshments!

The 'Bohra' cuisine-while blending in with local tastes- is known for its unique taste . It is influenced by Gujarati, Persian, Yemeni, and Egyptian cooking styles...

The Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community lives in over 40 countries- moving from Yemen to Indian Gujrat and then -after partition- to various cities of Pakistan, mainly Karachi, Hyderabad, Rawalpindi. Traditionally, a meal starts with a pinch of salt to clear the gut, cleansing the palate and helps fight several diseases! The dishes are served in a large round thaal (platter) with 8-10 people eating from it, mostly seated on the floor...

We have selected some of the most popular items for you including: Adla Soft Chunks of Beef on Bone with green masala, Khow Suey Chicken (an adopted Burmese dish) , Moong Pulao Beef, Stuffed Capsicum with Potato, Uttapam served with masala potatoes, beetroot halwa etc.

Some of these dishes will be demonstrated and others served along with a cultural briefing and history about the community!

• Guest Presenters: Munira and Owais of 'Moni’s Food'- a catering service based in Rawalpindi- cater to the community, and others with a taste and appreciation for this popular cuisine!

'Poetry in English from Pakistan, A 21st Century Anthology' by Alhamra Publishing, showcases the work of sixty eight contemporary Pakistani poets writing in English. In this volume with its extensive representation of contemporary local and diaspora poets, readers will discern the changing trajectory in metre, rhythm, tone and theme of this often-neglected genre. The collection, featuring poems written from the year 2000 to date, moves from senior, established voices to young, emerging poets. The editor’s notes at the end of the book give novice readers a rough guide to English poetry in Pakistan, which existed from the country’s birth (and before, as part of the Subcontinent).

Readers familiar with the genre will note a recent return to traditional poetic form, a movement initiated by diaspora poets, now taken up by the local writing community. The large representation of the former group is testament to the scale of migrations westwards from Pakistan.

In scope and size, this twenty first century anthology endeavours to give students and readers of poetry an overview of the poetic scene and documentation of work which does not always reach publication!

'Poetry in English from Pakistan, A 21st Century Anthology' by Alhamra Publishing, showcases the work of sixty eight contemporary Pakistani poets writing in English. In this volume with its extensive representation of contemporary local and diaspora poets, readers will discern the changing trajectory in metre, rhythm, tone and theme of this often-neglected genre. The collection, featuring poems written from the year 2000 to date, moves from senior, established voices to young, emerging poets. The editor’s notes at the end of the book give novice readers a rough guide to English poetry in Pakistan, which existed from the country’s birth (and before, as part of the Subcontinent).

Readers familiar with the genre will note a recent return to traditional poetic form, a movement initiated by diaspora poets, now taken up by the local writing community. The large representation of the former group is testament to the scale of migrations westwards from Pakistan.

In scope and size, this twenty first century anthology endeavours to give students and readers of poetry an overview of the poetic scene and documentation of work which does not always reach publication!

Join us for a unique experience as we explore the magnificent Big Banyan Tree at Sinyari. Believed to be over a thousand years old, it is located at the base of the Margalla Hills.The tree stands as a testament to nature's resilience and beauty, offering a serene escape into the wilderness of the Margalla Hills!

Did you know that a banyan tree can roughly grow up to 2000 years ? It has an interesting mechanism of expanding. From the branches of the trees, rope like structures called boughs fall towards the ground and upon touching the ground they become a branch. This way the tree keeps expanding even long after the death of the original tree!

Myths pertaining to Banyan trees are commonly found in almost all of the Sub- continental cultural/ religious traditions.

Seals dating back to Mohenjadaro also depict the Banyan tree, leading researchers to conclude that the reverence of the Banyan trees in Hinduism could have been borrowed from the indigenous religion of the Indus valley. With its a semi-divine status in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions people come and pray to the Banyan tree to get the blessings of the spirit. The Buddhists believe that it was under a Banyan tree that Buddha attained enlightenment and that is why they call it Bodhi tree meaning ‘tree of enlightenment'- a symbol for Buddha himself...

Instructions for participation:

• Assemble at the Khyber Gate of the F-9 Park (on Margalla Road). Cyclists, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts will come together for a brief introduction and safety instructions.
• From there the caravan will depart for the Big Banyan Tree, located just a couple of kilometers from the park.
• Cyclists will enjoy a leisurely ride through scenic route, while the other participants will drive to the location.
• Upon arrival, we will take time to explore and appreciate the grandeur of this ancient tree. Participants can learn about its history, ecological significance, and the biodiversity of the surrounding area.
• For those interested in further exploration, a short hike into the forest will be organized. This hike will offer an opportunity to discover more of the natural beauty of the Margalla Hills.
• After the hike, we will gather back at the Big Banyan Tree for a closing discussion and group photo before heading back to F-9 Park.

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• Refreshments/Water
• Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
• Binoculars and cameras for the tree & wildlife observation
• A small backpack for personal items

The mesmerizing mountainous territory of Gilgit- Baltistan is renowned for its history and and stunning scenery!

With their own unique traditions and languages the cusine of Gilgit -Baltistan mirrors the region's cultural mosaic, reflecting a vibrant blend of influences from Central Asia, the Middle East and South Asia... each dish carries a story of tradition , heritage and centuries old practices...

We will start with 'Balay soup' - a traditional soup with homemade noodles, followed by 'Sharte Chap Shorro'-

a delicious pastry filled with meat. The main dishes will be 'Chap Ulu Alo' and 'Channa Pulao'...winding up with the delicious 'Rabri Pasta' dessert!

• Our guest Chef Musarrat is originally from the valley and runs a small catering business offering a taste of her local cusine.