How about celebrating Earth Day with a bang – not by just typical sharing of random quote on your socials, but witnessing powerful performances and artistic creations that make you think! That’s exactly what Safeer Ullah Khan, a theatre director with a big heart for the environment, did with his recent project, “Echoes from Earth.”
Safeer Ullah Khan, a 2013 alumnus of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), is no stranger to using his passion for theatre to tackle social issues. Climate change, a major threat in Pakistan as well as across the globe struck a chord with him. But how to raise awareness in a way that sticks? “Echoes from Earth” was his answer. Supported by U.S. Mission in Pakistan in partnership with the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN), this project, under Alumni Small Grant (ASG) was all about using art for action. Khan didn’t just preach; he empowered people!
The project kicked off with a writing workshop where aspiring writer met at Theater Walay Den and honed their words to create compelling stories and literary pieces about the environmental issues. This was followed by an art workshop where artists got creative using recycled materials for raising awareness about climate change. All these efforts culminated in a grand event featuring dramatic readings of creative expressions created earlier alongside the eco-art exhibition.
Here’s the coolest part: the series of events under this Alumni Small Grant (ASG) weren’t just entertaining. They sparked conversations, inspired people to take action, and showed everyone the power of literature and art to make a difference.
Art that Moves You and Literature that Inspires You
People who attended the event walked away feeling empowered. Dr. Amir Mustafa, who brought his students along, says, “It showed us how art can make you care about climate change – like a wake-up call with a microphone!” He loved how the event used art to portray the environmental crisis and what can we do to fix it.
Talha Bhatti, who works for an environmental organization, was particularly interested in the dramatic readings. “Our usual talks can get a bit snooze-fest,” he admits, “This event showed me a whole new way to grab people’s attention.” He was impressed by how the performances brought complex environmental issues to life.
Together We Can
Khan’s collaboration with the U.S. Mission and PUAN made this project a breeze. He says everything went smoothly. The impact of Khan’s initiative goes way beyond the Alumni Small Grant (ASG) itself. The project trained 22 writers and 13 artists, giving them the skills to keep creating impactful work. It also brought together people from all walks of life, fostering a sense of community and reminding everyone that we’re all in this together.
“Echoes from Earth” is a perfect example of how art and literary collaborations can make a real difference. By using creative expression and bringing people together, Khan’s project has made a lasting impact on environmental awareness in Pakistan.
So next time you think about Earth Day, remember the power of art to inspire change – and maybe even grab a pen or some recycled materials and get creative yourself!
Keep following our blog for more similar inspiring stories by our alumni.
