The Silk Road Culture Centre (SRCC) held a solemn and evocative curtain-raising ceremony and press briefing on April 23, 2025, to announce its upcoming week-long humanitarian artists camptitled “Art for Life – Art for Gaza”, to take place from April 30 to May 7, 2025, in Islamabad.The event was attended by Deputy Ambassador of Palestine, foreign dignitaries and participating artists of the Camp.
Jamal Shah, Chairman of the SRCC and visionary behind the initiative, addressed the media, stating: “Art for Gaza is not a protest; it is a poetic act of remembrance. It is an artist’s homage to the spirit of Gaza – dignified, resilient, and steeped in history.”
Set against the backdrop of ‘Nakba Remain’ and the escalating humanitarian concerns in Gaza, this multicultural, multidisciplinary artist gathering seeks to use art as a peaceful language of solidarity, drawing artists, performers, intellectuals, and peace advocates from Pakistan and across the globe.
With the theme “Art for Life- Art for Gaza”, the initiative aims to offer a reflective cultural spaceinstead of political rhetoric. “In a world often deafened by protest and conflict, this initiative speaks in the quiet, yet powerful language of art,” noted Zeejah Fazli, one of the event’s speakers, during the briefing.
The workshops in the camp will include Painting & Sculpture, Calligraphy & Poetry, Short Films, Theatre, Dance & Music, and Installations & Interactive Art. All creative work developed during the workshops will uphold principles of human dignity, memory, and hope.
A special Public Art Festival and Charity Auction will be held at the end of the workshops, with 100% of proceeds pledged to support children and vulnerable communities in Gaza.
This event will see participation from federal ministers, diplomats, cultural envoys, corporate and development sector representatives, as well as students and civil society leaders.
In his closing remarks, Jamal Shah urged media to act as partners, saying, “We invite the media to not just report this story, but to become part of it. Help broadcast a message that transcends conflict – a message that heals.”
2- For DIGITAL / ONLINE PUBLICATION
Art for Life – Art for Gaza: Silk Road Culture Centre Launches Week-Long Humanitarian Artists Camp
Islamabad | April 23, 2025
In a powerful gesture of creative solidarity, the Silk Road Culture Centre (SRCC) on 23rd April, 2025 unveiled its upcoming “Art for Life – Art for Gaza” Artists Camp during a heartfelt press briefing and curtain-raising ceremony held in Islamabad.
Jamal Shah, Chairman of SRCC and acclaimed cultural leader, shared the vision behind the event:
“This is not a political protest. It’s a soulful cultural response to the pain of a people, conveyed through brushstrokes, rhythms, and reflections.”
Scheduled from April 30 to May 7, 2025, the Art for Life – Art for Gaza Artists Camp will gather a diverse mix of artists, performers, and intellectuals from Pakistan and abroad to create, reflect, and connect in a peaceful space rooted in art and memory.
What to Expect?
• Multimedia artistic expressions: Painting, sculpture, calligraphy, poetry, short films, dance, theatre, music & installations
• Global participation in all activities, including live-streamed contributions
• Public Art Festival & Charity Auction: 100% proceeds to benefit humanitarian aid for Gaza’s children
• Inclusive audience: Ministers, diplomats, cultural leaders, art enthusiasts, showbiz, students, and wider public
Artists and speakers at the event hinted that the works produced in this camp will not contain depictions of blood, violence or political commentary, but will focus more on dignity, heritage, resilience, and hope.
Samina Shah, one of the participating artists, summed up the thought saying, “Through art, we do not look away—we look deeper.”
‘Nakba Remain’ … Join the Movement. Take the Stand. Tell the Story.
#ArtForGaza #SRCC
3- Social Media Story
Art for Life – Art for Gaza | Apr 30 – May 7 | Silk Road Culture Centre, Islamabad
A powerful artistic tribute to Gaza—where compassion meets creativity.
Key Message: Art heals, Art remembers, Art unites
Led by Chairman Jamal Shah, this multicultural event brings together local and international artists to raise a voice for peace and dignity against the backdrop of ‘Nakba Remain’:
“It’s a soulful cultural response to the pain of a people, conveyed through brushstrokes, rhythms, and reflections.” – Jamal Shah, Chairman SRCC
Join artists, performers & peace advocates from around the world for a week-long humanitarian artists camp filled with:
🎨 Painting & Sculpture
🎭 Theatre, Dance & Music
🖋 Poetry & Calligraphy
📽 Short Films & Installations
All proceeds support humanitarian aid for children in Gaza.
📅 Schedule of Events
April 30, 2025 – Opening Ceremony
🕚 10:45 AM – Arrival of Chief Guests
🕚 11:00 AM – Opening Session
• National Anthems: Pakistan & Palestine
• Welcome Address: Mr. Jamal Shah, Chairman SRCC
• Video Messages: International Scholars and Thought Leaders
• Remarks:
o Dr. Zuhair Zaid
o Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed
• Art Exhibition Opening (Viewings & Silent Auction)
• Workshop Tour & Artist Interaction
• Media Briefing & Group Photo Session
May 1, 2025 – Talks & Creative Workshops
🕚 11:00 AM – Talk/Discourse on Gaza
🕦 11:30 AM – Creative Workshops: Painting, Music, Theatre, Poetry, Writing, Dance
🍽 01:30 PM – Lunch Break
🎭 02:30 PM – Workshops Resume
☕ 04:30 PM – Tea Break
🎨 05:00 PM – Workshops Continue
🖼 Till 08:00PM – Exhibition Viewings & Silent Auction
May 2, 2025 – Dialogue & Poetry
🎓 Morning: Visit by School Groups
Dialogue with Artists
🍽 01:30 PM – Lunch Break
🎨 02:30 PM – Workshops Continue
📝 04:00 PM – Mushaira & Poetry Evening: In Solidarity with Gaza
🎭 04:30 PM – Workshops Continue
☕ 06:30 PM – Tea Break
🖼 Till 08:00PM – Exhibition Viewings & Silent Auction
May 3, 2025 – Screenings & Performance
🎨 11:00 AM – Workshops Resume
🎥 11:30 AM – Screening: No Other Land
School & College Visits
🍽 01:30 PM – Lunch Break
🎭 02:30 PM – Workshops Continue
☕ 04:30 PM – Tea Break
🎭 07:30 PM – PNCA Performance Evening
🖼 Till 08:00PM – Exhibition Viewings & Silent Auction
May 4, 2025 – Creative Practice & Film
🎨 11:00 AM – Workshops Continue
🍽 01:30 PM – Lunch Break
🎭 02:30 PM –Workshops Resume
☕ 04:30 PM – Tea Break
🎥 06:30 PM – Evening Film Screening
🖼 Till 08:00PM – Exhibition Viewings & Silent Auction
May 5, 2025 – Multimedia & Artist Showcases
🎨 11:00 AM – Workshops
👥 12:00 PM – Group Visits
🍽 01:30 PM – Lunch Break
🎭 02:30 PM –Workshops Resume
☕ 04:30 PM – Tea Break
🎭 07:00 PM – Multimedia Showcase
Live Multidisciplinary performance
🖼 Till 08:00PM – Exhibition Viewings & Silent Auction
May 6, 2025 – Workshops & Engagement
🎨 11:00 AM – Workshops Continue
👥 12:00 PM – Student/Guest Visits
🍽 01:30 PM – Lunch Break
🎭 02:30 PM –Workshops Resume
☕ 04:30 PM – Tea Break
🎨 06:30 PM – Evening Workshop Session
🖼 Till 08:00PM – Exhibition Viewings & Silent Auction
May 7, 2025 – Exhibition & Closing
🖼 11:00 AM – Final Display Arrangements
🍽 01:30 PM – Lunch Break
🎭 02:30 PM –Media Visit
🖼 05:00 PM – Exhibition Viewings & Silent Auction
🎭 08:00 PM – Grand Multimedia Performance & Closing Ceremony
#ArtForGaza #HopeThroughArt #SRCC #HumanitarianArt
