By Adnan Hameed TWA ______ A week-long photography exhibition, titled ‘Once there was, and once there wasn’t – Styrian Tales from the Silk Road,’ centered on the fairy tales of Silk Road countries, was officially opened on Monday at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). The event was inaugurated by Austrian Charge d’Affaires Hannes Machor, along with Austrian curator and artist Dr. Maryam Mohammadi, and Director General of PNCA Muhammad Ayoub Jamali.

The exhibition features works of the Austrian curator, artist and photographer Maryam Mohammadi who has picked six countries from the Silk Road— Iran, India, China, Mongolia, Georgia and Greece to depict the rich cultures and ancient history of these countries through their peculiar fairy tales. The woman who narrated the stories is currently living and settled in the Austrian state of Styria which is also her home. From each story, Maryam Mohammadi picked two scenes and used staged photography to visualize them—a technique she has been using for the last 20 years.

She has tried to highlight the cultures, traditions, unique history and anecdotes of these wonderful countries. For each Fairytale there was a QR code that allowed the visitors to listen to the story in German (Austria’s national language). “As a photographer my work goes through stages—conceptualizing, creating the art and presenting it,” she said, adding, however, the project is not complete until the audience like you, engages with it and forms its own interpretation. The exhibition, running until October 13, offers extensive insights into the Silk Road countries, showcasing their enchanting landscapes, trade routes, journeys, cultural exchanges, and mystical elements—all narrated through their captivating fairy tales.

In his earlier remarks, Austrian Charge d’Affaires Hannes Machor expressed his hopes that the exhibition, marking Maryam Mohammadi’s first in Pakistan, would offer insights into the lives, culture, heritage, and traditions of Austrian migrant women.