MOSCOW (Shahid Ghuman): A major open-air musical concert was held in the Russian capital Moscow to mark Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, drawing more than 1,000 people, including members of the Pakistani community, students, Russian citizens and foreign guests. The evening, filled with Pakistani music, regional culture and patriotic melodies, brought the colours and spirit of Pakistan to Moscow’s Museum Park.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Defence Attaché Asif Khan, Counsellor Khalid Salman, Deputy Head of Mission Gian Chand, Minister Trade Shabana Mumtaz, other officials of the Pakistan Embassy, diplomatic guests from different countries and a large number of Pakistani students and young people attended the event.
The programme began with an address by Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, who congratulated the participants on Pakistan’s Independence Day. He said it was the first time that artists from Pakistan had come to Moscow to showcase Pakistani music and culture at an event of this scale.
Ambassador Tirmizi said Pakistan was celebrating its independence together with its Russian friends and stressed that cultural exchanges could play an important role in further strengthening friendship and people-to-people relations between Pakistan and Russia.
The musical programme formally began with renowned violinist and Pride of Performance recipient Ustad Raees Khan, who played the melody of Pakistan’s national anthem on the violin. As the national anthem echoed across the venue, the enthusiasm among the Pakistani audience was clearly visible.
Ustad Raees Khan then performed the melody of the famous qawwali “Tajdar-e-Haram”, followed by the popular patriotic songs “Dil Dil Pakistan” and “Jeevay Jeevay Pakistan.” His performance received enthusiastic applause from the audience and added to the Independence Day spirit.
A traditional Khattak dance was also performed, showcasing Pakistan’s rich regional culture. The energetic performance attracted particular interest from Russian and other foreign guests, who warmly applauded the performers.
Later, Pakistan’s renowned hyper-folk musical group Khumariyaan took to the stage, transforming the atmosphere of the concert. The group presented the diverse musical and cultural traditions of Pakistan through performances representing Pashto, Punjabi, Sindhi and Balochi music and regional languages.
As Khumariyaan performed, Pakistani youngsters danced enthusiastically in front of the stage, while Russian citizens and foreign guests were also seen enjoying and dancing to Pakistani music. At one point, Pakistani and Russian participants were dancing together, creating one of the most memorable scenes of the evening.
A large number of Pakistani students studying in Moscow and other Russian cities also attended the concert. Young people carrying Pakistani flags celebrated to patriotic and regional music, while the venue remained filled with the colours and enthusiasm of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
The public cultural event also provided Russian citizens with an opportunity to experience Pakistan’s music, regional traditions and cultural diversity firsthand. Pakistani artists received a warm response from the audience, and the festive atmosphere continued until the end of the programme.
Speaking exclusively to Voice Of Russia, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi welcomed the performances by Pakistani artists and the strong participation of Russian citizens. He said such cultural activities help bring the peoples of Pakistan and Russia closer and contribute to further strengthening friendship between the two countries.
Renowned violinist Ustad Raees Khan also spoke to Dunya News and described the love and appreciation he received in Moscow as unforgettable.
“I have performed in many countries around the world, but the love, affection and appreciation I received in Moscow, and the joy I experienced performing here, is something I will never forget for the rest of my life,” Ustad Raees Khan said.
Pakistani and Russian participants, speaking to Dunya News, described the concert as a remarkable experience and expressed the hope that more such cultural events would be organised in the future. They said public cultural programmes could play an important role in bringing the people of Pakistan and Russia closer together.
Under the open Moscow sky, Pakistani patriotic melodies, regional music, the Khattak dance and the energetic celebrations of young people not only marked Pakistan’s Independence Day but also introduced Russian audiences to the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The celebrations continued until the end of the evening, with Pakistani and Russian participants enjoying the music together, turning the event into a memorable celebration of Pakistani culture and Pakistan-Russia friendship.
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