"Freedom Train Exhibition" at QAU

The need to revive convivial relations with the United States was brought into the limelight in a magnificent exhibition titled "Freedom Train Exhibition" held here on Wednesday.

Organized by the M.Phil students of the Area Study Centre for Africa, North and South America at Quaid-i-Azam University the exhibition was a unique event in which a collection of political, economic, social and cultural artifacts, including models of the Bill of Rights, the Statue of Liberty, Norman Rockwell's freedom paintings, baseball and cowboy culture were put on display to provide an insight into the American culture.

Dr. Masoom Yasin Zai, Vice Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University, and Dr. Rukhsana Qamber, Director of the Centre, jointly inaugurated the exhibition.

The exhibition opened with a short presentation by Jonathan D. Cebra explaining US culture through artifacts such as Ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz, Edison light bulb, Abraham Lincoln's Top hat etc.

The students brought Americana to the fore through display of models related to the history, geography, folklore and cultural heritage of the U.S. They were also eager to explain the historical importance of their artifacts.

The Jazz music and dazzling images gave a colorful touch to the event and enchanted the audience. The tremendous venture by the students marked the day resplendently and the fabulous exhibition continued attracting scores of people from the twin cities.

The models were starkly striking, depicting an overall picture of American aura with a fusion of traditional and contemporary embellishments.

The audience lavished praise on the young participants and regarded the event a healthy sign that Pakistani youth were attempting to bring the two nations closer through such events.

Many Americans were also invited on the occasion and a look at the objects flooded them with memories of America. During the exhibition, Pakistani people got a unique opportunity to familiarize themselves with American citizens and their culture amid pleasantries and smiles. On the other hand, the students seemed enthusiastic to flaunt their Americana projects on U.S. history.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Yasin Zai strongly supported the efforts of the Centre and offered to establish a Nelson Mandela corner in the Centre's library which was applauded enthusiastically by the audience.

He said that the Centre should strengthen its faculty to promote research in the field of American and African studies.

Dr. Qamber commented in her short speech that the event was an endeavor to understand the US at ground level, hence promoting the excellent bilateral relations between two countries.

Dr. Robert Nichols, Professor of Historical Studies at Richard Stockton College New Jersey and currently a Fulbright scholar to Pakistan and Nadeem Akbar, Director of American Institute of Pakistan Studies were also present on the occasion