The closing ceremony for the 9th SAARC Artist Camp and Exhibition of Paintings 2019 took place at the National Art Gallery last night. The Minister of Housing and Urban Development Aminath Athifa attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Minister of Art Culture and Heritage took part in the concluding ceremony along with the Sri Lankan Ambassador and other dignitaries.
In her speech at the commencement ceremony, the Minister of Art, Culture and Heritage Yumna Maumoon highlighted the significance of art as a medium to learn about different cultures. She spoke on the ways that artists can aid awareness creation for issues such as climate change, corruption, violence and crime. Noting their efforts in the forefront of such endeavours.
Addressing the gathering the Director of SAARC Cultural Center, D. K. R. Ekanayake spoke on how the event promotes regional unity and cultural cooperation. She emphasized the importance of providing a forum for artists in the region to share knowledge and ideas and exchange techniques while simultaneously learning about the culture and heritage of different SAARC member states.
This concludes the event that went on from the 22nd of September 2019 to 27th of September 2019. It is the 2nd time that the event has taken place in the Maldives. The artists created 2 paintings to the themes, “Oceans, a binding treasure of South Asia” and “Cultures and confluences of creativity”
The Exhibition of Paintings will be open to public until the 29th of September 2019 at the National Art Gallery. It will display the art work of the 27 artists who took part in the event representing the 5 countries, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.