Lahore, Pakistan, 27 January 2020 - Habib Bank Limited (HBL) was the lead sponsor for the second Lahore Biennale (LB02) held on 26 January 2020, in Lahore. LB02 seeks to provide public space for experimentation in visual expression and experience. The Lahore Biennale is held every two years. HBL also partnered with the inaugural Lahore Biennale in 2018.

The Honourable President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi was the chief guest at LB02. He thanked patrons of Art, like HBL, for supporting multiple initiatives and thanked the Aga Khan Development Network for the renovation and restoration work done at the Lahore Fort, Wazir Khan Mosque and the Shahi Hammam in Lahore.

Mr. Sultan Ali Allana, Chairman, HBL in his keynote address said, “It is incumbent for societies to recognise the tremendous value of the arts and the need to honour and nurture artists.” Stressing the importance of supporting artists, he said, “patrons are facilitators for artists to grow, to develop, to dream and to construct works, which become signifiers of civilisation.”

Mr. Allana emphasised the need to commit to encouraging more spaces for public art so that the public is able to engage with art in order to spark imagination and reflection, thus opening doors to new horizons.

HBL is very proud of its association with Arts and values its partnership with Lahore Biennale.