RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) will organise a Gandhara festival to highlight the ancient civilisation of Taxila valley soon.

Punjab Arts Council Director General Saman Rai said the main objective of the festival was to highlight the old civilisation of the region and to inform the young generation about the country`s history, art and culture.

She said festivals were being organised to highlight the culture of Punjab as well as the ancient civilisations of Gandhara, Harappa, Rohi and Sindh.

She stated this while presiding over a meeting at RAC in which the schedule and arrangements for the Gandhara festival were reviewed. RAC Director Waqar Ahmed and other officers also participated in the meeting.

Ms Rai said similar festivals will be organised in Sahiwal about Harappa civilisation, Faisalabad regarding Sindhi civilisation and Bahawalpur regarding Rohi civilisation.

She said that there was a close relationship between culture and ancient civilisations because the civilisation of any region must have an impact on its culture. She said all cultural festivals have been included in the schedule of arts councils across the province and these festivals will be held throughout the year.

The RAC director said that the Potohar region had a special identity due to its distinctive culture apart from the Gandhara civilisation. He said RAC was the guardian of the culture of Potohar region and the Gandhara civilisation of Taxila.

He said that the exhibition of Buddha statues made by local sculptors was also a means of promoting the Gandhara civilisation and the Gandhara festival will also exhibit Buddha statues. Staff Reporter