Senta Siller Publication Series
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Labels: Dr Senta Siller, Publications
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:42 AM,
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COTHM Honours Dr. Senta Siller’s Extraordinary Legacy of Women’s Empowerment
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Read complete Hospitality Plus report here
Labels: Dr Senta Siller, Tribute
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:57 AM,
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Prestigious Civil Award Conferred Upon Senta Maria Anna Siller
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Labels: Dr Senta Siller, Tribute
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:40 AM,
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COTHM Pays Tribute to Dr. Senta Siller
Friday, May 22, 2026
This short video clip captures a beautiful part of his heartfelt and extraordinary tribute in the presence of Dr. Siller and her husband Dr. Norbert Pintsch.
Labels: COTHM, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 8:52 AM,
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Mother of Dolls in Senta Siller Design Center
Saturday, May 9, 2026
The poster also captures the presence of distinguished guests, friends, supporters and community members who became part of this unforgettable day and celebrated the inspiring journey of Thatta Kedona together with Dr. Siller.
With visible joy and satisfaction, Dr. Siller expressed her happiness that the mission she started to empower rural women is not only alive but also reaching new heights with every passing day.
Labels: Dr Senta Siller, SSDC
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 4:19 PM,
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A Heartfelt Thank You from Dr. Siller
Monday, April 27, 2026
She is particularly moved by her visit to the village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, where the new Thatta Kedona showroom left a deep impression. To Dr. Siller, this beautiful showroom is more than just a space - it is a living testament that the seed she once planted through Thatta Kedona has not withered, but has grown stronger over time, continuing to blossom and bear fruit.
Labels: Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:28 AM,
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Pakistan, 1-7 April 2026
Sunday, April 26, 2026
The recent week-long visit of German artist, designer, and social worker Dr. Senta Siller was a truly memorable journey of creativity, connection, and purpose.
From Lahore to Islamabad, Okara, and most importantly the heart of her decades-long mission — the village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka — this poster captures powerful moments of her engagements, meetings, and interactions with communities.
Her unwavering dedication to empowering rural women through art, design, and sustainable livelihoods continues to leave a lasting impact. Each image reflects not just visits, but meaningful exchanges, shared visions, and a legacy that keeps growing.
A week that once again strengthened bonds, inspired minds, and celebrated a lifelong commitment to social change.
Labels: Dr Senta Siller, Germany, Pakistan
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3:09 PM,
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Dr. Senta Siller and Professor Dr. Norbert Pintsch in Pakistan
Friday, April 10, 2026
Labels: Amjad Ali, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, Germany, Pakistan, TDAP, UNESCO
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:25 AM,
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Cross-Cultural Bridge Builder: Dr. Senta Siller Honored for Empowering Rural Pakistan
They were warmly received by LCCI President Mr. Fahren-ur-Rehman Saigol, who presented a commemorative shield to Dr. Senta Siller in recognition of her outstanding services to rural women in Pakistan—particularly her impactful work in the small village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka in District Okara.
A meaningful moment celebrating dedication, empowerment, and cross-cultural friendship.
Labels: Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, LCCI
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:12 AM,
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UO pays tribute to Dr Senta Siller’s services
Sunday, April 5, 2026
In recognition of the German artist and academician Dr Senta Siller’s services for women empowerment, gender mainstreaming and female entrepreneurship, a seminar was organized by the Directorate of External Linkages and Directorate of Public Relations at the University of Okara where the Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Sajjad Mubin, and various member of Okara’s civil society paid tribute to Dr Siller who is currently visiting Pakistan along with her husband, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch. A large number of faculty members and students from the Weekend Program participated in the event.
Prof Mubin announced to name the under-construction girls hostel at the campus after Dr Siller. Amjad Ali, a correspondent of the German broadcasting service and an academician, briefed about the project “Thatta Kedona”, initiated by Dr Siller in 1990s. He told how the project had empowered thousands of village women and changed the socio-economic dynamics of the village.
Dr Siller, in her keynote address, explained the factors that led to her motivation of investing her energies for the project. Dr Pintsch told the journey of Dr Siller. The other speakers included a Aslam Tahir ul Qadri, a renowned social worker from Okara, and Chaudary Maqsood Ahmed Jutt, a representative of various agricultural bodies of Pakistan.
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The event was moderated by the Deputy Director (Press, Media & Publications) at the UO, Sharjeel Ahmed.
Labels: Amjad Ali, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, Okara, Thatta Kedona, Tribute, University of Okara
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 12:51 PM,
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Thatta Kedona in the University of Okara
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Labels: Amjad Ali, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, Okara, Thatta Kedona, Tribute, University of Okara
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 4:47 PM,
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Where Dolls Speak and Cultures Embrace - A Tribute to Humanity Through Art
In a world often divided by borders, languages, and histories, moments of cultural convergence become rare and precious. One such moment is set to unfold in Lahore, where art, memory, and human connection will intertwine in a deeply meaningful gathering at the prestigious Mozart Haus Lahore.
The Pakistan-Austria Friendship Society, Mozart Haus, Model Town, led by President Aamir Rafique and its Executive Committee, will host an evocative tribute in honor of Dr. Senta Siller - a distinguished personality celebrated as “Sitara-e-Pakistan” and affectionately known as the “Mother of Dolls.” This event is not merely ceremonial; it is a philosophical reflection on the power of art to transcend the visible and speak to the unseen threads of human unity.
Dr. Siller’s work, centered on the creation and preservation of dolls, may at first seem rooted in simplicity. Yet, beneath this delicate craft lies a profound narrative. Each doll she creates becomes a vessel of identity, tradition, and emotion—an embodiment of cultures that might otherwise fade into silence. Through her hands, dolls are transformed into storytellers, quietly narrating tales of heritage, belonging, and shared humanity.
The symbolism of the doll in Dr. Siller’s artistic philosophy is particularly striking. It represents innocence, continuity, and the universal language of care. In a fragmented world, these creations remind us of a time when connection was instinctive and empathy unspoken. Her work asks an essential question: can art restore the emotional bridges we have lost? And perhaps more importantly, can it remind us of who we truly are?
The venue itself, Mozart Haus, Model Town, stands as a beacon of cross-cultural dialogue, embodying the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Austria. This event further strengthens that bond, illustrating how artistic expression can succeed where politics and discourse often falter. It is here that diverse minds—artists, intellectuals, and admirers—will gather not just to honor a woman, but to celebrate a philosophy rooted in compassion and creativity.
Scheduled evening promises to be a confluence of reflection and admiration. Distinguished guests from various walks of life are expected to attend, each bringing with them their own interpretations of art, identity, and cultural belonging.
In essence, this tribute to Dr. Senta Siller is more than an acknowledgment of her achievements—it is a meditation on the enduring power of art. It reminds us that even the simplest forms of expression, when infused with sincerity, can echo across continents and generations.
As the soft light of a Lahore evening descends upon Mozart Haus, one truth will quietly resonate:
Art does not merely imitate life - it heals, connects, and ultimately defines it.
Labels: Aamir Rafique, Amjad Ali, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, Germany, Pakistan, Tribute
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:59 AM,
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Thatta Kedona is more than dolls and toys
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
When the article "German Connection" by Asgher Javed appeared in Nation, Sunday Plus, April 27, 2008, p. 14, readers were probably unaware of the connections between the three women in the village project; among other things, Ruth Pfau had a connection to Mango-Pir near Karachi with the workshop for leprosy patients there, and Annemarie Schimmel had a connection to TGD because of the vibrant local, traditional culture.
In one case, the Ruth Pfau Basic Health Unit was created, and in the other, the Annemarie Schimmel Cultural Complex, where theater performances, film screenings, and village music concerts took place!
Senta Siller's work was not only that of a -researcher (fieldwork in the Five Provinces), -designer (dolls based on village life), -producer (marketable items), -teacher (training village women), -marketing strategist (museums at home and abroad), -networker (Schimmel-Pfau-Kenoyer-Salima Hashmi/Ex-NCA Lahore, DSFestival, Expo 2000, 2005), but she is rightly considered an anthropologist. All of this demonstrates the visibility and awareness of local village culture, bridging the gap between science and culturally informed consumption, while also creating sustainable measures for village women.
Incidentally, village dolls are housed in the Lok Virsa Museum in Islamabad, and thanks to the IWSA Prize, village toys found their way to the Children's Museum in Izmir!
It all began with the production of the film "Amjad's Village," a 24-hour glimpse into village life in TGD. An interesting article by Maqbool Malik, "Planning of a Model Village," was published in Dawn in 1994. Numerous articles by journalists have praised the project, which, through Senta Siller, has received several awards, including one from UNESCO in 2007, recognizing it as the outstanding doll project in South Asia. Ultimately, it's all on the path to UNESCO World Heritage status.
Labels: Amjad Ali, Annemarie Schimmel, BHU, Dr Ruth Pfau, Dr Senta Siller, Germany, Pakistan, TGD, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:08 AM,
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The web never forgets – so says
Monday, January 26, 2026
Since 2000, village project information has been primarily disseminated online; since January 2004, there has been a dedicated blog: www.THATTAKEDONA.blogspot.com
Only those who browse the blog will realize that while the flagship project of dolls and handicrafts has successfully established itself as a tradition (an initiative of Dr. Senta Siller), behind and beneath the surface of these crafts were a multitude of other projects that also addressed the future.
Photovoltaics, harnessing wind power with kites, windmills for electricity generation, sustainable and climate-friendly construction with clay, internet radio, and much more were topics intended as inspiration but have since become part of the urban culture; for example, the Photovoltaic system (the first and only private installation in Pakistan in 1997).
Student groups from NCA, UEAT, Comsats, BNU, and PU traveled by bus to the AFA's Technology and Transfer Centre in Thatta Ghulamkha Dhirokha.
The AFA's TTTC conducted workshops in Karachi and Abbottabad, experimental houses were built in Lahore, and an Institute for Experimental Building was established there. The FPAC's magazine, GREENMAG, featured several articles showcasing certain results of the TTTC. At the former NWFP, special houses with adapted technology were built for flood victims.
Not only did the AFA's WAC, now the Senta Siller Design Centre, operate outside the region, but the TTTC also collaborated with the CAT in Cameroon and TM in Colombia, where institutes were established at universities. A dedicated university for Appropriate Technology and Traditional Medicine was even founded in the Northwest Region of Cameroon.
Labels: Culture, Dr Senta Siller, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:44 AM,
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Ambassador H.E. Saqlain Syedah honors Dr. Senta Siller on Her 90th Birthday
Monday, November 17, 2025
Memories were shared, and posters showcasing Senta's activities were displayed in four rooms, accompanied by refreshments.
The ambassador spoke about Senta's selfless work and honored her achievements with a medal and a certificate.
Senta's former student, Amjad Ali, who continues her work in the village of Thatta Ghulamkha Dhiroka at the Senta Siller Design Centre, took the opportunity to provide further information.
Previous: Birthday
Labels: Amjad Ali, Birthday, Cultura e V Nauen, DGFK e V Berlin, Dietrich Eckardt, Dr Henri Siller, Dr Senta Siller, H E Saqlain Syedah, Michael Stober, Prof Dr Norbert Pintsch
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:21 AM,
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Bazaar 2025 in Berlin
Thursday, November 6, 2025
The project soon led to subsidiary projects (Cameroon, Colombia, among others) and gained recognition through EXPO 2000 in Hanover and Aichi (Japan). The dolls received a UNESCO award and were sold as a special item in Dubai, at the United Nations in New York, and at museum bazaars in Central Europe – always under the motto "unique pieces, not mass-produced" and with the vision: "Preservation of local traditional culture and UNESCO World Heritage..."
Labels: Cultura e V Nauen, DGFK e V Berlin, Dr Senta Siller, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:49 AM,
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Senta Maria Anna Siller Awarded Sitara-e-Pakistan
Saturday, August 16, 2025
To ensure authenticity, Dr. Siller herself travelled to northern Pakistan to study traditional attire, including that of the Kalash people, believed to be descendants of Alexander the Great’s soldiers. Over time, these handcrafted items were not only showcased in major Pakistani cities but also internationally — particularly in Germany — under the name Thatta Kedona.
The project brought more than just recognition. It offered the village women a steady source of income, enhancing their self-esteem and improving their position in a traditionally patriarchal society. But Dr. Siller’s vision went far beyond dolls. She contributed immensely to the welfare and development of the village. She helped build and furnish the primary school, provided students with free books and stationery, and played a key role in introducing solar power and later connecting the village to the electricity grid. Thanks to her, a proper asphalt road was constructed, connecting the main road to the Women Art Centre, which was later renamed Senta Siller Design Center (SSDC) in her honour. Dr. Siller also initiated a clean drinking water project that serves the entire village. She launched a green initiative, encouraging tree planting and environmental care. Her idea "One Baby, One Tree" provided each newborn’s mother with a fruit tree, encouraging them to nurture the tree as they would their child.
As a symbolic gesture, every doll-maker received a Bougainvillea plant, so that blooming flowers in front of homes would signal to visitors: a doll-maker lives here.
Dr. Siller's efforts transformed Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka — not just in infrastructure, but in spirit. To provide basic healthcare to the people of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, a village dispensary was established as early as 1992 by Dr. Leila Siller, a medical doctor and the daughter of Dr. Senta Siller. The nearest hospital is five kilometres away, so the dispensary became a lifeline for the local community. Dr. Senta Siller personally supervised and supported the handicrafts project until 2007, before returning to Germany. She left the initiative in the capable hands of a self-organised group of village women, empowering them to run it independently. To this day, she remains in regular contact with them through occasional Zoom conferences, offering guidance on handicrafts and welfare-related matters.
Today, the villagers are overjoyed by the announcement that the Government of Pakistan will honour Dr. Senta Siller with the Sitara-e-Pakistan (also known as Sitara-e-Imtiaz) in recognition of her outstanding service. She will celebrate her 90th birthday this year and is expected to receive the award in person on March 23, 2026.
Previous: Governor Award Conferred Upon Senta Maria Anna Siller
Labels: Amjad Ali, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, Germany, Okara, Pakistan, Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:26 AM,
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The activities of Senta Siller
Thursday, June 26, 2025
more than 75 years of successful work are
recorded in the following list:
Publications:
Catalogue, 46 p., © 2015
Compilation, 60 p.,© 2021
SSI 88, 110 p., © 2023
Paper Cut, 36 p.,© 2024
Musicales, 56 p., © 2024
AphoMics, 44 p., © 2024
KOB (Children's Outerwear), 44 p., © 2024
Puppetery, 88 p., © 2024
Naturales, 50 p., © 2024
Materiales, 34 p., © 2024
Fairytales and Toys, 36 p., © 2024
Marketing, 50 p. © 2024
Social, 36 p., © 2024
Training, 40 p. , © 2024
Research, 40 p., © 2024
Privado, 112 p., © 2025
and compiled from the archives
/SentaSillerArchiv-Landgut Stober-Cultura e.V. Nauen + ForZat-HVK-DGFK e.V. Berlin
Al Andalus 1954, 44 p., © 2023
Greece 1955, 44 p., © 2023
Three Little Dragon 1967, 24 p., © 2024
Marienleben 1970, 40 p., © 2023
Gnomi, 1985, 56 p., © 1985
Labels: A-e-F-e-A, Dr Senta Siller, Sparc Project, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:57 AM,
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Between Rest and Travel
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
April 8th - April 18th: Budapest, Shanghai, Auckland / New Zealand Congress of the International Lyceum Club in Tauranga, Meeting with friends from Switzerland, France, and Australia / Remembrance: Isabel Mertel, volunteer at TGD and artist, Sydney, Melbourne / Home of Dr. Elizabeth, volunteer at TGD, -
Bali, Dili / Timor Leste, Meeting with chief of cabinet of the Ministry of Art and Culture,
Singapore, Istanbul
April 26th: Workshop at the Landgut Stober project with artists
April 28th: Meeting in Leipzig / Grassi Museum
May 1st: Meeting at the Kolbow exhibition with former student and artist from the DGFK Claudia Becker-Jung
May 2nd: Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Berlin capitulation, together with GreatGrancChildren
May 3rd: Visit to the Anne Guetzlaff exhibition in Wasserburg
Heraklion-Souda-Kolymbari / Visit of Dr. Papaderos regarding the memorial for the civilian victims of Crete between 1941 and 1945
Meeting with Anna Papaderos regarding the contribution in the DGFK INTERNATIONAL booklet
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Athens with a visit by the artist Spyros Kardamakis regarding the contribution in the DGFK INTERNATIONAL booklet
Visit regarding Greece doll project volunteer Dorit Savidou in Korapi
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Tirana-Durres / Albania
Labels: DGFK, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr Senta Siller, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 6:05 PM,
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A Chance Encounter: Reconnecting in Berlin
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Their initial meeting took place in 2001 on Pakistan Day at the Pakistan House in Potsdam, Germany. This event was organized by DGFK e.V. The seeds of friendship sown that day have clearly endured, as evidenced by their joyful reunion in Berlin.
During their meeting, Dr. Gwendolyn gifted Dr. Senta a printed edition of her dissertation, which features Thatta Kedona as one of the projects examined. This thoughtful gesture served as a poignant reminder of the power of human connections and the importance of nurturing friendships over time.
Labels: Berlin, DGFK eV Berlin, Dr Senta Siller, Gwendolyn Kulick, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 10:39 AM,
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