TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ABDULMALIK MERCHANT
(Editor: Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)
CLASS, BEAUTY AND TALENT INSPIRE VAST CROWDS IN ISMAILI JUBILEE ARTS NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Months of hard work by hundreds of Ismaili artists across Canada culminated in Toronto on the weekend of March 24-25, 2018 with beautiful and thoughtful stage performances, films, literary recitals as well as the display of intriguing works of art at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The Fraser Elliot Hall was filled to capacity on both days for its main stage performances, while the floor areas areas of the entire building were filled with hundreds of works of magnificent art encompassing all forms of the visual art. It was a mesmerizing event whose impact will continue to be felt for decades as the remarkable artistic talent within the Ismaili community continues to blossom.
A selection of Canadian works of art and performances showcased over the past weekend will now travel to Lisbon where an International Jubilee Arts Festival will bring together Ismaili artists from all over the world from July 5 to July 11, 2018. His Highness the Aga Khan will be in Lisbon during the same period as part of the final phase of the year long celebration of his Diamond Jubilee year that commenced on July 11, 2017. We present here glimpses from the festival based on the author’s presence at the Four Season’s Centre on Sunday March 25th.
Date posted: March 28, 2018
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I am Salim Somani from Montreal and saw by chance that you had taken the picture of my fruit sculpture. I thank you for acknowledging my work. I have some more sculptures done previously for Jamati and outside functions. I will be glad to share them with you if you are interested
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Wow. The art work looks incredible.
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Beautiful write up as always, Malik. We have excellent talent and I congratulate all those who took part and to all the families and friends that attended.
Next stop: PORTUGAL ❤❤❤❤
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Mr. Merchant,
Thank you for sharing such spectacular show of talent within our Ismaili Community from dancing in a wheelchair to creating art from fruit. Visual displays of colour to creating art from different objects found on earth, to using paint & brushes to create breath taking pictures & paintings. Since not all our Ismailis could be in Toronto during this last weekend, I would like to personally thank you for bringing the Art festival to all of us around the world through Barakah. This way we all are celebrating together. Those who participated, those who attended & all of us who get to see it through your eyes, your words & your pictures.
Thank you very much & keep it up👍
Sincerely,
Karima Kara.
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