a. “Use culture to strengthen faith” appointment meeting guidance to leaders and ITREB November 1996.
b. Mandate of BHT: Entrusted to the promotion and preservation of cultural and historical heritage of this part of world and steering ongoing rapid change.
c. Detailed Policy: On“how” and“what” of the policy. Read on this link:
e. Definition of Culture: Culture is an umbrella term which encompasses the social behavior and norms found in human societies, as well as the knowledge, language, religion/beliefs, material traits, cuisine, arts/music, laws, customs, capabilities and social habits of the individuals in these groups. In a word'way of life'.
a. Assign Primary Responsibility to the CURATOR.
"A curator(from Latin: cura, meaning"to take care") is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution(e.g., gallery, museum, library, or archive) is a content specialist charged with an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage MATERIAL."
b. Sources:
Research Publications donated by CAK research team.
Collections by AKCSP.
Input by interested researchers both indigenous and global through this“LIVING DOCUMENT”
c. How: Share the link for this document on social media, related blogs, mail etc.
d. Form a dedicated group on“whatsapp” and similar platforms.
AKDN VIEW:
AKTC became active in the north of Pakistan in 1989, in response to concerns that the unique culture of the area was under threat due to developments that followed the completion of the Karakoram Highway in 1978. Increased accessibility to remote valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan, which were part of the old Central Asian Silk Road but which had remained inaccessible to vehicular traffic, coupled with the impact of tourism, introduced a rapid transformation of local customs and economic patterns. These changes called for a new strategies and procedures that were capable of steering ongoing rapid change.
The conservation of the Baltit Fort – the earliest elements of which date back more than 700 years – and the stabilisation of the historic core of the village of Karimabad - historically BALTIT - in the Hunza Valley, were the Trust’s first major interventions in Pakistan. The project was finished in 1996, but conservation efforts continued. The AKTC’s country affiliate, the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan(AKCSP), was formed in 1991.
BALTIT FORT IS NOW A MUSEUM
After the restoration of Baltit Fort in 1996, the fort was opened for public. It is now being managed by the Baltit Heritage Trust. An estimated 15,000 people visit the Baltit Fort every year which includes locals, domestic and foreign visitors.
IT TOOK 6 YEARS TO RENOVATE THE BALTIT FORT
The fort was renovated by Aga Khan Cultural Services for Pakistan(AKCSP) and opened for public in September 1996. The restoration work of Baltit Fort took AKCSP about six years to complete with the support of Aga Khan Trust for Culture(AKTC). The fort was inaugurated after restoration by His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan and then president of Pakistan Mr. Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari.
The Fort remains open all year round and seven days a week, with the idea of being a self-sustaining cultural centre supported by the sale of entry tickets, souvenirs and generous donations of individuals and organizations entrusted to the promotion and preservation of cultural and historical heritage of this part of world.
Baltit heritage trust is the main institution in Hunza towards preservation and promotion of heritage of hunza. Now we have the son of soil heading this organization that gives us the hope that the trust will provide the needed impetus even to the diaspora. My advocacy: Hunza Heritage through BHT chair.
How can anyone participate and contribute towards the MANDATE: Open the document on this link and update with your input, be it an audio clip, a video, a saying, historical event etc - anything that deals with culture/civilization of past, present or the thoughts for future.
HUNZUAY SUCHI: SUCHI is the transcending behavior of an individual towards public good while undermining one's own priorities and even at the cost of ones comfort. A prized trait expected from all HUNZUKUTZ.
English word for SUCHI - the desired Heritage of Hunza:
Altruism is a term used to describe a behavior characterized by acts with no apparent benefits for the individual who performs them but that are beneficial to other individuals. Humans may designate a selfless love of others, that is to say the wish that others find happiness and generosity expecting nothing in return.
BALTIT FORT IS NOW A MUSEUM
IT TOOK 6 YEARS TO RENOVATE THE BALTIT FORT