Amritsar: Aiming to celebrate and preserve cultural heritage, UK-based Essex Cultural Diversity Project (ECDP) launched a 30-day exhibition titled ‘After the Partition: A Shared Cultural Heritage', highlighting the journey of the Punjabi diaspora in the UK.Developed in collaboration with elderly Punjabi community members living in East England, the exhibition presents powerful memories of the 1947 Partition through oral histories, cultural artefacts, and visual storytelling in arts and heritage.Even though no direct survivors who personally experienced Partition were present, their stories live on through the shared memories, reflections, and legacy passed down through generations, offering a moving tribute to resilience, identity, and cultural continuity.The CEO of ECDP, Indi Sandhu, and UK-based artist Suman Gujral from Harlow, Essex, paved the way for the exhibition in the holy city of Amritsar. "This 30-day exhibition vividly documents the journey of the Punjabi Diaspora in the United Kingdom, through oral history narratives, preserved cultural materials, and visual archives spanning three generations," said Sandhu.Notably, ECDP supports and promotes cultural diversity within the arts and heritage sectors, aiming to create opportunities, inspire active participation, and act as a central platform for the development, celebration, and coordination of culturally diverse artistic and heritage initiatives.Stating that this cross-cultural collaboration is set to further strengthen ties between heritage institutions in Punjab and the UK, State Information Commissioner, Punjab, Harpreet Sandhu, who inaugurated the exhibition, said that such initiatives play a vital role in promoting one of Punjab's key tourism landmarks, The Partition Museum, Amritsar, while also showcasing the state's rich cultural heritage to diverse communities across the UK.Indi Sandhu said, "We work strategically with creative practitioners, culture and heritage sectors, diverse communities, and the voluntary sector to help develop skills, build sustainable networks and infrastructures, alongside creating new opportunities to enhance diverse artists' work. "Prof Jagjit Singh, Rajwinder Kaur, Malwinder Singh Ahluwalia, Ravinder Singh Chamak, and The Singh Twin Artist from Britain were among others who were present on the occasion.MSID:: 124663569 413 |
