Islamabad: The Netherlands’ popular board game “Sjoelen,” Germany’s backyard sport “Kubb Yard” and France’s “Petanque” were among the highlights of the EuroVillage organised by the European Union in the capital to showcase the rich colours, cultures, employment and education opportunities as well as traditional food, attire and music of the European countries.
The event had “a wow effect” on the visitors who came in large numbers, more than 10,000 on Saturday, to acquaint themselves with the European lifestyle and to learn how these geographically small countries became the world leaders in economy and development.
A signboard showing directions and distances of different capitals of the European countries — Sofia (5,494.9 km), Brussels (7,618.4 km), Berlin (7,135.4 km), Vienna (6,505.7 km) and Copenhagen (7569.2 km) — was the main attraction every visitor encountered upon entering the EuroVillage venue ie the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
EU Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka was thrilled to see “such a huge crowd” particularly the youth and the families that showed interest in souvenirs put at various stalls of the European countries on the occasion.
The event was not held for three years due to the pandemic, and we expect the number to reach 12,000, she said.
Ambassador of Bulgaria Irena Genadieva Gancheva while welcoming the guests at her country’s stall said among the European countries Bulgaria was the closest to Pakistan, only 5,494-km as it shares borders with Turkiye.
Unity in diversity
Through games and quizzes, interactive information displays, and various activities, visitors learned what the EU’s motto “Unity in Diversity’ means in practice and how it applies also to Pakistan.
At the Austrian embassy, they could enjoy the non-stop supply of traditional Austrian apple pie, at Czechia’s (Czech Republic) they learnt it was Czechia where for the first time the term “Robot” was coined by the Czech writer, Karel Capek back in 1921.
Alliance Française Islamabad cohosted the French embassy stall while KfW complemented the German embassy’s efforts to promote their products.
Best European practices
The Swedish company Tetra Pak was also in the forefront showing how important recycling and sustainability are in our lives. The company had improvised a swing with recycled Tetra Pak packaging material and the children were playfully swinging and enjoying themselves.
Ambassador Henrik Persson of Sweden introduced the visitors to the concept of utilising recycled cartons. “This is something Tetra Pak will continue for a sustainable future,” he said.
Ambassador Nicolas Galey of France and Alfred Grannas of Germany were also among the hosts of the event and hoped the people would make maximum use of their visit to these stalls.
Romanian ambassador Nicolae Goia, Poland’s Maciej Pisarski, Hungary’s Bela Fazekas and Belgium’s ambassador Charles Delogne also advocated enhanced people-to-people and B-to-B relations with Pakistan.
Deputy Head of Mission Denmark, Simon Fasterkjaer Kjeldson welcomed the visitors at his country’s stall and introduced them to the best Danish practices particularly in green and sustainable energy.
The Netherlands’ Deputy Head of Mission Lianne Houben also remained busy in asking the visitors simple and easy questions about the Dutch language, Tulip flowers and cycling.
An EU-Pakistan friendship truck was also parked at the entrance which according to Ambassador Riina Kionka is scheduled to travel all around the country to reach Pakistani youth in various universities across the country and offer a window into the strong connection between the EU and Pakistan.
