Construction of SAARC Cultural Centre

Beneficiaries                   :-  SAARC member countries

Duration                         :-  From May 20089 to May 2011

Implementing Agency       :-  Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage

Expected Project Output    :-

Auditorium, Theatres and Rehearsal rooms, seminar and Lecture halls

Areas for exhibitions, Open Air Theatre and work areas outdoors

Museum area, Studio for Video and Audio productions

Cinema hall, IT room, Library, Hostel facilities, Cafeteria, Office complex and living quarter for resident staff

Objectives :-

Promote and preserve the cultural heritage of the region and support the traditions and rich cultural diversity through connection of a cultural center. This center will function as a major meeting point for the artistic communities in the region and to initiate programme aimed at encouraging and assisting traditional artistries from the region

Description of the Project  :-

In order to promote the distinguished Art of South Asia, it has been decided at the 10th SAARC Summit held in Comobo to establish a South Asia Cultural Center in Sri Lanka. This was a decision taken in recognition of the need to share, preserve and promote the rich and diverse intangible and oral cultural heritage of South Asia which has its roots spanning over thousands years.

The Centre is intended to function as a major meeting point for the artistic communities of the member states. It will provide the necessary facilities and conditions for individuals and groups in diverse fields of culture to meet and interact in a conductive environment. Activities at the center are expected to encompass all forms of art, Dance, Music, Vocal Drama, Puppetry, Painting, Sculpture, Cinemas, Photography, Literature and Archaeology.

The proposed centre will function both as Performing Art Center and a repository for traditional knowledge related to the rituals of Sri Lanka. The main building and the special auditorium has been designed as a ritual theatre to encourage the learning and teaching to take place in an arena that is comfortable to the ritual on arrival at the site roof of the ritual theatre to the only element that stands out.

Proposed activities of the Centre

Periodic "SAARC FESTIVALS OF CULTURE"

SAARC annual arts festivals

Film Festivals

Programmes for school children to familiarize themselves with the cultures of the region.

Regional and global networking artistes.

Seminars, Conferences, Workshops, Art Camps, Literacy events, Book exhibitions, short study courses.

Master classes of short duration by invited experts in different fields of Art.

Cultural exchanges, exhibitions of Painting, Sculpture, photography, Archaeology and performances of Dance, Drama and Music

Quarterly newsletters, video and audio productions, archives and library.

Progress :-

Acquired the land at Morakatiyahena at Matara is construct the SAARC Cultural Centre. Laid the foundation stone  for the centre and opened the project office at the premises of the Sri Lanka Film Corporation at Colomo 07. Architectural designs including structural designs, working drawings and BOQ of the phase one have been prepared. Ready for calling tenders by the end of this month. Construction work is progressing.

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