On Tuesday, December 9, attendees streamed into the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, catching a break from the winter cold and trying to visit every booth at the 12th annual Winternational. The event showcased food, crafts, and cultures from more than 70 embassies from across Washington, D.C., and one of the most visited booths in this widely attended event was that of Pakistan.
Visitors to the Pakistan booth were not left disappointed as they were offered flavorful chicken biryani, a sweet carrot-based dessert called gajar ka halwa, and warm cups of chai—perfect for the cold winter day. And what better way to drink chai than with one of the handcrafted Pakistani mugs featuring a diverse array of designs, which were available for purchase alongside a variety of other goods and crafts.
For example, the booth featured jewelry decorated with gemstones from Pakistan’s mountains, as well as fine pashmina shawls. Pakistani craftsmanship was also on display, including blue pottery and handcrafted camel skin lamps from Multan and “truck art” originating from Karachi.
The annual Winternational has long been an opportunity for embassies from around the world to share their cultures with the American people. Attendess come from all over the Washington, D.C. area to take in this annual event and engage with the traditions of other countries.
In addition to the individual booths, countries also shared regional music and dancing on various stages around the venue. These performances only added to the already festive mood.
As wave after wave of participants entered the venue, leaving with bags full of beautiful Pakistani wares, it was clear that Americans are ready to learn more about Pakistan and its diverse and fascinating culture.
