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    Winter Fete, Islamabad

    Written by: Aiman Javed
    Posted on: January 09, 2018 | | 中文

    Tea Cosies by Pins and Needles

    The winter fete, an annual lifestyle and fashion exhibition, returned to Islamabad on the 6th of January, 2018. The festival featured a multitude of stalls by home-based businesses, artists and craftsmen, showcasing clothing, furniture, home-décor, jewellery and food items. The brainchild of Maha Mussadaq, Sabeen Abdal and Anum Abdal, the fete lasted the entire day from 10 am to 7 pm.

    In clothing, couture items by Henna Mehndi particularly stood out for their intricate detailing, while in prêt Katas had the most stylish options. In traditional craftwork, the shawls, cushions and file covers at Indus Heritage Trust had unique embroideries. The authentic designs of jewellery by Project: Rich (particularly the Pakistan flag rings) and by Ottomon Jewels were captivating amongst other stalls.

    Frida Kahlo cushion and sofa by Decoracao

    Frida Kahlo cushion and sofa by Decoracao

    Lapiz Luzli Tables and Stone Bowls by Laluna

    Lapiz Luzli Tables and Stone Bowls by Laluna

    For those on the hunt for furniture, Hunoon Interiors, Decoração, and E’talage displayed coveted items such as calligraphy adorned tables, sofas upholstered in funky prints (including a Frida Kahlo print!), hand painted chests of drawers, mirrors and picture frames. Laluna’s lapis lazuli table tops and Al-Rakham’s marble trays particularly stood out for their fine stonework.

    Succulent Plants and Cactuses by Pebbles and Pots

    Succulent Plants and Cactuses by Pebbles and Pots

    For the more artistically inclined, Hipflask’s stall featured products with graphic illustrations, such as a range of products with Star Wars characters in Mughal miniature style attires. Syntax Prism displayed stationary products with the photography of Maryam Arif, particularly focusing on scenes from Old Lahore. Paintings and prints by The Dog’s Housekeeper were much sought after while Pins and Needles showcased colourful crocheted tea cosies. Pebbles & Pots’ succulent plants and cactuses in colourful planters of all shapes and sizes and Painted Stories’ hand-painted khussas were a few of the novelty items.

    Mughal Princess Leia illustation by Hipflask

    Mughal Princess Leia illustation by Hipflask

    Lettuce Bee Kids, a philanthropic endeavour that engages street children in creating art, had their own stall, selling child-like drawings, T-shirts and cushions, with all proceeds from sales going towards the charity.

    For food, there was a great variety to cater to all palettes; from popular cafes like Jade and District 6 to desi food by BBQ Bazaar and FooDelicious and desserts by home-based bakers like Mint To Be, Bake For Me and Annie’s Bakery. The most popular and delicious item was the Belgian Fries by Frite House. In PKR 300, the fries were served in a paper cone, sprinkled with parmesan and spices, and came with an assortment of 5 sauces of your choice. We also tried the lemon raspberry cake from Mint to Be for PKR 400 - this layered sponge cake with a decadent raspberry cream cheese coating was truly scrumptious.

    Belgian Fries by Frite House

    Belgian Fries by Frite House

    As a private enterprise, the winter fete cannot be appreciated enough for the opportunity it provides small businesses and craftsmen, who lack their own outlets, to showcase their products. Set up in one of the larger houses in F-8, the fete was packed with visitors despite the ticket price of PKR 500, proving that it had something unique to offer. The finesse of the products revealed that quality had been given precedence over quantity, and creative impulses successfully channelized. Truly a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Islamabad!


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021