Pakistan has a beauty that can best be seen in its culture, rich traditions: German Consul General

Karachi, February 09, 2014 (PPI-OT): Pakistan has a beauty that can best be seen in its culture and rich traditions. This was said by Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Tilo Klinner at a dinner hosted by him for guests participating in the three-day 5th Karachi Literature Festival.

The German diplomat said literature opens the horizons and expands the vision of humans, guiding them toward accommodation and harmony with their fellow beings and promoting peace. He added the Karachi Literature Festival Peace Prize 2014 is meant to recognise and honour such achievements.

Dr Klinner said the Peace Prize is joint project of the Consulate General of Germany in Karachi, the Embassy of Germany in Islamabad and the Karachi Literature Festival. It aims to recognise books promoting peace, international understanding and tolerance. It is awarded by a jury comprising eminent Pakistani academics and human rights activists and carries a prize of 3,000 euros.

Special Envoy of the government of Federal Republic of Germany for Afghanistan/Pakistan who has also served as German ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Michael Koch, said he was glad to be back among so many friends. He said books and literature bring out the best in mankind. He added that literature celebrates diverse cultures and encourages tolerance of one another.

The Managing Director of Oxford University Press and founding member of Karachi Literature Festival Ameena Saiyid said the festival is meant to pay tribute to and celebrate authors, books, ideas and readers.

For more information, contact:
Ali R. Akhtar
Press and Public Relations Officer
Press and Cultural Section
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
92-A/7, Block 5, Clifton
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel.: (+92-21-) 3587 3782/83 Ext. 223
Fax: (+92-21-) 3587 4009
E-Mail: ali.akhtar@diplo.de
Web: www.karachi.diplo.de