The Trust for History, Art and Architecture of Pakistan commonly known as THAAP, is a Nonprofit organization founded in 2006 and based in Lahore, Pakistan.[2] THAAP was registered as a not-for-profit company in 2011, under the regulations of Section 42 of the Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan.[3] THAAP was established to help the promotion of cultural heritage in Pakistan which includes; management and planning for historic sites and landscapes, documentation, conservation, community engagement, and creativity in education. THAAP projects include Thaap heritage activities, conferences, publications, crafts, and the Ma Boli Centre[4] for the study of language and cultural expression.[5][6][7]

THAAP
Trust for History, Art and Architecture of Pakistan
AbbreviationTHAAP
Formation2006
TypeNonprofit organization
FocusCultural Heritage
Location
Key people
Prof. Pervaiz Vandal (Director), Prof. Sajida Haider Vandal (CEO)[1]
Websitewww.thaap.org

In 2011 THAAP was recognized as an NGO for its work on intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.[8] In addition to specific projects,[9] one outcome of this joint work was the first inventory of intangible cultural heritage material for Pakistan.[10] Further work with UNESCO has included encouragement of craft industries in areas of Pakistan suffering from desertification.[11]

The educational side of THAAP's work includes both publication of works on cultural heritage and the organization of an annual international conference on varied themes. The first occurred in 2010,[12] with the theme ‘Historiography of Architecture in Pakistan and the Region’.[1] Conference themes include:

  • 2010,[12], Historiography of Architecture in Pakistan and the Region[13]
  • 2011, Portrait of Lahore Capital City of the Punjab[1]
  • 2012, Life in Small Towns[1]
  • 2013, Cultural Roots of Art and Architecture of the Punjab[14][1]
  • 2014, Culture, Art and Architecture of the Marginalised and the Poor[1]
  • 2015, People's History of Pakistan[12][15]
  • 2016, People and the City[1]
  • 2017, The City: An Evolving Organism[16]

More recently, THAAP has been heavily involved in the archaeology of the Indus Valley civilization both through organizing conferences on the topic (the 11th and 12th international THAAP conferences were both devoted to this subject)[17] and through involvement in new excavations at Ganweriwal, a major but relatively unknown Indus Valley site.[18]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Moot, art exhibition on 'People and the City' kicks off". Aζ, in-Enaction. 14 November 2016. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  2. ^ "NGO Review of Accreditation" (PDF). UNESCO. 2023.
  3. ^ "Dr Sajida Vandal: Reimagining Arts Education in Pakistan". Academia Magazine. 21 December 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Thaap seminar brings out Punjabi cultural colours". Dawn. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  5. ^ "Thaap event on mother tongue". Dawn. 8 November 2020.
  6. ^ "Ma Boli- Language and Learning- An Event by THAAP and Institute for Art and Culture". News Update Times. 7 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Day 2 of Seminar on Punjab Culture: Heritage Conservation & Tourism held". Daily Times. 15 March 2022.
  8. ^ "THAAP". UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Local communities: 'Preserving intangible heritage is important'". The Express Tribune. 18 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Home Page". ICH Inventory. UNESCO/THAAP. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Empowering People through Crafts". UNESDOC Digital Library. UNESCO/THAAP. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  12. ^ a b c "Inaugural session: 'Our history has been written for kings only'". The Express Tribune. 6 November, 2015. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  13. ^ "THAAP calls for conference papers". Aζ, in-Enaction. 1 February 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Cultural roots of Art and Architecture in Punjab". Youlin Magazine. December 12, 2013.
  15. ^ "Thaap conference starts with research papers on history, art". Dawn. 7 November 2015.
  16. ^ Soofi, Mushtaq (17 November 2017). "PUNJAB NOTES: The city: a window or a cul-de-sac". Dawn.
  17. ^ "Thaap conference on Harappan culture and legacy kicks off". Dawn. 18 November 2023. 18 November 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
  18. ^ "Excavation Work On Ancient Site Ganweriwala Started In Cholistan". UrduPoint. 2 March, 2024. Retrieved 3 April 2024.

External links edit