On April 29, the inaugural dinner and presentation of the ‘Friends of Pakistan’ association took place at the Pakistani house in Madrid, with the presence of Ambassador Zahoor Ahmed.
After welcoming the guests, the Pakistani ambassador emphasized “the importance of cultural diplomacy to strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of Pakistan and Spain.” He noted that “Friends of Pakistan aims to bring together people who share an interest in culture, history, society, and their economic partnership with Spain.”
For his part, former senator Dimas Sañudo spoke about the idea of the initiative presented as a “platform to strengthen friendship, cultural understanding, and business and investment ties between Pakistan and Spain.”
The highlight of the event was the live performances by renowned sitar master Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan and tabla virtuoso Shahbaz Hussain, who presented the rich classical musical tradition of Pakistan.
Lucía Nayyar, a writer and poet who has lived in Pakistan for 12 years, spoke about Pakistani music, its rich traditions, and its ability to connect people from different cultures. She highlighted the status of the two artists as leading performers in the classical tradition.
The event was attended by Spanish friends of Pakistan, cultural figures, academics, professionals, and representatives of the Pakistani community in Spain.
