The Google Cultural Institute
In 2011 Google initiated this highly interactive forum which is providing people all over the world the opportunity to digitally preserve their cultural heritage for the future generations as well as to reach out to a wider audience. The institute has a collection of around six million objects from over a thousand museums and archives from 40 countries and has more than eight hundred collaborative partners.
Google Cultural Institute Pakistan: Wonders of Pakistan
Pakistan is also a country that has a rich and diverse cultural heritage which epitomizes architectural excellence and mesmerizing art, yet most of this treasure remains hidden from the rest of the world as it has not been rightfully showcased.
However all that is now changing because of this unique platform where the Wonders of Pakistan, are being promoted globally. Also it is a very interesting resource for Pakistanis themselves, because most of us are not physically able to visit the many wonderful sights in the country, but now it is possible to virtually see many of them.
Google Cultural Institute Pakistan: How it was Initiated
After a continuous effort of a year (2014-15), Wonders of Pakistan emerged. A dedicated team of people were responsible for this.
- Firstly it was Mr. Badar Khushnood, the Google Pakistan Country Consultant at that time who initiated it and handed this project over to BizManagement Consulting, an agency that manages Google marketing and events in Pakistan.
- Then Miss Afia Salam, a renowned journalist acted as Project Consultant, where she approached various cultural organizations to seek out those interested in collaborating with Google’s Cultural Institute. She was also in charge of finding out professional photographers who would create the digital portfolios as well as training of the technical teams of each organization.
There are currently eight partners, i.e.
- The Lahore Museum (it was established 150 years ago, and is the largest museum of the country)
- Baltit Fort (a 2000 year old fort located in Hunza Valley, and in 1996 a museum was established within it)
- Mohatta Palace Museum (The Palace was built in 1927, spread over 12000 square yards. Since 1995 it houses a museum with rare textiles and art)
- Fakir Khana Museum (one of the largest private collections in South Asia belonging to the Fakir family, which consists of 13,000 different items)
- Heritage Foundation Pakistan (an NPO actively involved in documenting and conserving our significant landmarks and historical buildings)
- The Walled City of Lahore Authority (a body in charge of maintaining that section of Lahore that is enclosed by the wall constructed during Mughal era)
- The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (an NPO committed to uphold our historical and cultural legacy) and
- AAN Collection (the largest collection of Visual Art in Pakistan).
When Ann Lavin (Director of Public Policy & Government Affairs at Google Asia Pacific) visited Lahore in 2015 on the occasion of the launch of Wonders of Pakistan she said
Pakistan is brimming with a rich historical and cultural heritage, with stories and artifacts that we are keen to preserve for future generations. We are honored to work with these iconic institutions to bring their unique collections online through the power of technology. When technology meets art and culture, amazing things happen.
Google Cultural Institute Pakistan: The Collection
Since its commencement, a number of additions have been made, and now there are a total of 14 exhibits such as the magnificent Royal Trail, the mystifying Necropolis of Makli and the impressive AAN Collection. 27 exciting virtual tours (360 degree street view mappings) such as the splendid Walled City of Lahore, the artistic Jahangir’s tomb and the distinctive Fakir Khana Museum. And 475 lovely items which include ancient artifacts, sculptures and paintings.
So just sit back and get ready to explore some amazing places and things. Simply click here: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/project/wonders-of-pakistan
Furthermore if you want to become a partner with Google Cultural Institute, you can now directly get in touch by accessing this link: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/about/partners/