Challenged, being challenging

It's Tuesday, and I've been here for just over 2 days.  The range and depth of thinking, grass-roots engagement and 'dancing' necessary to push for development has been a fascinating journey.  I feel extremely priviledged to have had homes and spaces opened up to me and time given to discuss how artists, arts organisations, community activists and organisations are both challenging as well as being challenged by the social and political context.  Their are high levels of awareness of the need to present an alternative picture and to hold fast to positions of engagement and creative connections which are constantly challenged.

I am also discovering that whilst in the UK we talk of the need for diverse aesthetics that enriches culture and the importance of reflecting our local position within the global context, in Pakistan the curriculum focuses upon a Western Euro-centric canon.  Whilst arising economic states such as India or China, both neighbours to Pakistan, are recognised, they are given little attention.

In contrast then, the work of extremists demands that the borders of Pakistan are closed in.  The incredible work of the the Ravi Peer Theatre Group who bring in artists from across the globe is constantly threatened and questioned.  They are asked to prove their worth and questioned about the value of the creative spaces that they open out.  Such spaces and international connections are seen, by some, as un-Islamic.