New training hub aims to preserve Lahore's heritage through traditional crafts

A new training programme has been launched to equip young professionals and students with traditional and modern techniques for conserving Lahore’s historic heritage. The “Heritage Skills Training Hub” will offer lectures and hands-on training at selected historic monuments across the city, with a particular focus on traditional conservation techniques such as lime plaster, glazed tile mosaic, fresco painting and pietra dura [inlay stonework], also known locally as Parchin Kari. The initiative was launched through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Aga Khan Cultural Service-Pakistan (AKCS-P), Collective Research on Mughal (CROM) Lahore and the Commonwealth Heritage Forum (CHF). AKCS-P Chief Executive Officer Tausif Khawaja said conserving historic buildings also required safeguarding the specialised traditional skills associated with their construction and maintenance. He said the training initiative would enable young professionals to learn these techniques and pass them on to future generations.