Heavily attended women-only festival ends

PESHAWAR: The three-day festival titled “Huner-e-Hawwa” showcasing the talent of women ended at the Nishtar Hall on Sunday after attracting a large number of visitors.

The rare event, managed by women and meant for women, had 40 stalls of food, traditional dress designing with handicrafts and other ornamental accessories. Women from all over the province visited festival.

The winners of the painting competition included Sadaf Khurshid, Mehwish, Saira Sayeed, Fatima Amin, Parsa and Sara Najib. Those who won the cooking competition were Guloona Hayat, Mrs Umar and Parsa. Sundas Akram, Tehreem and Zahra won the mehndi, or henna competition.

Winners of makeup competition were Mahnoor Parlour from Hazara, Marias Parlour from Peshawar and Enrouge Parlour. There was a mime performance concept by Rameez, performed by Nehal, Samina Khan and Fatima Ali. It was based on the theme of women versus men, empowerment based on gender-biases in our society. The performance was well versed and liked by all.

There was also a fashion show with various designers from Pakistan. Professional models walked the ramp and included Miss Pakistan 2011 Laila Khan.

At the prize distribution ceremony, Member of Provincial Assembly Shagufta Malik gave away certificates and prizes to more than 50 organizers and volunteer girls as well as the coordinators. The recipients included Sara Najeeb, Ayesha Ilyas, Dr Maryam Alam Khan, Mutahira Safiya, Sana Orakzai, Marium Akhtar and Zahra Alam.

Terming the event historic, a visitor Palwasha Khan said: ÒThe Tourism Department is reviving the lost local traditions, especially those relating to womenfolk, by organising such a wonderful event.Ó

ÒEverything was fun but the best was the house that portrayed the wedding ceremonies of different regions of the province,Ó said Asma Shah, adding that our children need to know our culture and the event provided them the opportunity to be familiar with it.

Samina Amjad, another visitor, said: ÒThe fashion show and the concert were rocking. I appreciate this initiative of the Tourism Corporation.Ó

Dr Maryam Alam Khan, a dermatologist from Khyber Teaching Hospital told The News, that the event was the first such attempt of its kind in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Source: The News

Date:5/10/2011