Pakistani artists launch Gaza solidarity camp through art
‘Art for Life – Art for Gaza’ week to feature global collaboration, public festival, and charity auction
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — In a powerful act of creative solidarity, the Silk Road Culture Centre (SRCC) in Islamabad announced the launch of a humanitarian artist camp titled “Art for Life – Art for Gaza”, set to run from April 30 to May 7.
The initiative seeks to offer a peaceful, artistic homage to Gaza amid its ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Described as “a poetic act of remembrance,” the week-long event will gather artists, poets, filmmakers, and performers from across Pakistan and abroad to reflect on Gaza’s enduring struggle through visual and performing arts.
The announcement was made during a curtain-raising ceremony on April 23, attended by foreign dignitaries, cultural envoys, and members of the diplomatic and development community.
Jamal Shah, Chairman of the SRCC and the visionary behind the initiative, said the project is not a protest but “an artist’s homage to the spirit of Gaza – dignified, resilient, and steeped in history.”
According to Dawn, the event will feature cross-disciplinary collaborations in painting, sculpture, calligraphy, poetry, short films, theatre, and installations, all built around the themes of human dignity, cultural memory, and hope.
Organizers say the initiative deliberately avoids graphic depictions of violence or overt political commentary, focusing instead on the universal language of creativity.
“In a world often deafened by protest and conflict, this initiative speaks in the quiet, yet powerful language of art,” said cultural organizer Zeejah Fazli.
The event will culminate in a Public Art Festival and Charity Auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds pledged to humanitarian relief for children and vulnerable communities in Gaza. Several sessions and exhibitions will also be live streamed to enable global participation.
Samina Shah, one of the participating artists, underscored the project’s emotional depth: “Through art, we do not look away — we look deeper.”
The initiative is framed against the backdrop of Nakba Remains and the ongoing siege of Gaza, offering a space for empathy and remembrance at a time of widespread destruction and displacement.
The Palestinian Deputy Ambassador and other foreign officials were present at the ceremony, underlining international support for the project.
Jamal Shah concluded with an appeal to the media, “We invite the media not just to report this story, but to become part of it. Help broadcast a message that transcends conflict — a message that heals.”
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