Lahore – The Medieval Modernity

Lahore is the most attractive part of the country for being the center of culture and art. Events, exhibitions, expos and festivals held in Lahore mark the pompous cultural life of the city. It allures the visitors with its magical colors, beautiful monuments, historical buildings, tasty foods, European lifestyle and the rich classy Lahori culture. Some of the events that take place in Lahore bring people from all over the world.

The biggest event in Pakistan that attracts thousands of foreign visitors to the country is the Basant festival that is held every spring in Lahore and is unquestionably the most attractive event in the country when on thousands of roofs across the city, people are wearing colorful clothes, flying kites, dancing on the beats of drums and loud music on their music systems. They chant and shout as kites compete and as one of the two gets cut, the whole area echoes with the loud slogan of “Bo Kaata” and do “Bhangra” the traditional Punjabi dance on the beat of the drum.

Hotels are full, restaurants are jam-packed, guest houses have no rooms left and even the houses on rent are not available for the two days of Basant. At the end of the day, large kites, completely colored and ornamented in different styles, are flown and fireworks explode to mark the end of the festival. This mega-event is the reason why world first knew Lahore and the Lahorites hope that this festival, which had become their identity, is restored as soon as possible.

National days are celebrated by Lahorites with great fervor as the BB Canal, that is the jewel of the city, is lit and traditional statues are made and rested in the canal that are decorated and colored and give a magical view to the canal at night when colored bulbs are lit on these statues and electric braids beautify the trees along side the river. These events include the Independence Day, Pakistan Day and also the Defence Day.

Lahore loves its music and innumerable concerts are held throughout the year and from classical to jazz and from folk to rock, every sort of music has its listeners in this city. Dramas and cultural art festivals are held in Alhamra Arts Center while dozens of picture exhibitions are held in the city every year. Expos organized by different business and educational institutions are attended by thousands of people.

Rest aside, one thing that has been forever associated with Lahore and Lahorites is its food. Lahore is famously known as “City of Khabaahs” (City of Foods). Restaurants and clubs are uncountable in Lahore while the extravagant Food Street at the foot of the majestic Royal Fort of Lahore makes a sublime view.

Horse and Cattle show, yet another event associated with Lahore for years is held at the historic Fortress stadium and cattle and horse from across the country are brought here. They dance on the beat of the drum and the best decorated cattle are given prizes at the end of the ceremony. This show is attended by thousands of people every year and the grazers of these cattle prepare their animals all the year to take part in this show.

Lahore is a city of colors, magic, style, fashion, mystics and mist, music and art, culture, tradition, festivals, food and of course the Basant. Its features and colors cast a magical spell on the visitor. They may move out of Lahore but as the saying goes, “One may take a Lahori out of Lahore, but cannot take the Lahore out of Lahori”.