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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Where Dolls Speak and Cultures Embrace - A Tribute to Humanity Through Art
Thursday, April 2, 2026
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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Dr. Senta Siller Receives the First-Ever Ruth Pfau Medal for a Lifetime of Lifting Pakistan’s Village
Thursday, November 20, 2025
At 90, a German Artist Receives Pakistan’s Highest Tribute for Her Lifelong Service to Its Poorest Village
On 16 November 2025, in the quiet Brandenburg village of Gross Behnitz near Berlin, an extraordinary moment unfolded: Dr. Senta Siller, the celebrated German artist, designer, and humanitarian visionary, was awarded the inaugural Ruth Pfau Medal by Her Excellency Saqlain Syedah, Ambassador of Pakistan to Germany.
The date was no coincidence - it was Dr. Siller’s 90th birthday.
Surrounded by more than sixty family members, friends, and longtime supporters, the ceremony became both a celebration of a remarkable life and a profound recognition of more than thirty-five years of unbroken commitment to one of the most overlooked corners of rural Pakistan: the small village of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka in Okara District, Punjab.
She never asked for recognition. She simply kept showing up - year after year, decade after decade - turning creativity into dignity and friendship into lasting development.
As she steps into her 91st year, Dr. Senta Siller’s story reminds us that one determined heart, armed with compassion and imagination, can still change the world — one village, one woman, one child at a time.
Across borders, cultures, and generations, her light continues to shine.
Labels: Amjad Ali, Dr. Sena Siller, German Embassy, Germany, Ruth Pfau, Saqlain Syedah
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:48 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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German Connections - Schimmel-Pfau-Siller
Thursday, October 3, 2024
Labels: Dr. Senta Siller, Germany, Women at Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:52 AM,
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News from Our German Friends
Friday, September 29, 2023
Labels: Dr Senta Siller, German Embassy, Germany
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:05 AM,
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German Connections
Monday, January 30, 2023
Prof. Dr. Annemarie Schimmel (April 7, 1922 - January 26, 2003) was a well known and very influential German scholar who wrote over 500 books and left deep impression on the people of Pakistan.
Annemarie Schimmel received a doctorate in Islamic languages and civilization from the University of Berlin at the age of nineteen. At twenty-three, she became a professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Marburg (Germany), where she earned a second doctorate in the history of religions. A turning point in her life came in 1954 when she was appointed Professor of the History of Religion at the University of Ankara (Turkey). There she spent five years teaching in Turkish and immersing herself in the culture and mystical tradition of the country. She was a faculty member at Harvard University from 1967 to 1992 and became Professor Emeritus upon her retirement. She was also an honorary professor at the University of Bonn. She published more than 50 books on Islamic literature, mysticism and culture, and translated Persian, Urdu, Arabic, Sindhi and Turkish poetry and literature into English and German.
For her work on Islam, sufism or mysticism and Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the government of Pakistan honored her with Hilal-e-Imtiaz. She was showered with many other awards from many countries of the world, including the prestigious Peace Prize of the German book trade.
Similarly, Dr. Ruth Katherina Martha Pfau (1929- 2017), commonly known in Pakistan as Leprosy Lady is the founder of the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre Karachi and leprosy adviser to federal government. She has spent more than half of her life helping the leprosy patients in Pakistan, a country that is now her own.
“The intensity with which she has worked towards the alleviation of suffering in the northern areas of Pakistan has not changed since the day it began. Subsequently, she moved her efforts to the northern areas of Pakistan, basing herself in Muzaffarabad. Since the Oct 8 earthquake, she has been focusing all her efforts on providing for those still suffering from the disaster,” reads a citation.
The government of Pakistan has conferred Sitari-e-Quaid-i-Azam upon Dr. Ruth Pfau to recognize her selfless work for people in our country.
Annemarie Schimmel had been working in Pakistan in the field of Literature, Dr Ruth Pfau works in Medicine and the third German lady Dr. Senta Maria Anna Siller is working in rural areas of Pakistan to create additional income through self help projects.
Dr. Senta Maria Anna Siller (89 years) studied Graphic Design at the School of Art in Berlin. She did her MA in Archaeology, Philosophy and Education and received a degree of doctorate in History of Arts from the Technical University of Berlin. She served as lecturer and later as Deputy Head of an Art School in Berlin.
Earlier, she earned her first money with silhouettes and illustrations, which along with design became her passion for life. Besides bringing up four children, she continued various activities as a designer (for exhibitions and fairs, children’s cloths, toys and book illustrations) and ran a textile company before she came to Pakistan for the first time in 1965.
After having left civil service and design consultancy, Dr. Senta Siller became honorary manager of self help project in rural Pakistan in 1993 [also in Cameroon (in 1998) and in Colombia (in 1999)]. Main country of her activities is Pakistan from where she is networking with other projects in different countries.
Dr. Senta Siller has organized over five hundred exhibitions, shows and events for income generation for women in rural areas. The focus of her work is “Income generation as a tool of help for self help, poverty alleviation on grass root’s level by ethnic applied arts, the future is in the rural areas and how income generation is necessary there, production of internationally marketable unique and thematic handicraft, eco technology for the independence from central solutions, and the use of communication and information solutions giving chances and opportunities to the people in the rural areas and promotion of rich traditional culture of Pakistan.”
Civil servant appointed for life, Dr. Senta Siller has been conferred different awards like “Floriade” (the Netherlands), “Gestaltetes Spielgut” (Creative Toys-German Toy Industry), “Bundesverdienstkreuz” (highest civil order of merit of the Federal Republic of Germany) to name a few. Pakistan recognizes her relentless and untiring work in the field of income generation for rural women through self help projects.
Making difference in lives of others is a great accomplishment. I am returning back a part of what life has bestowed upon me,” says Dr. Senta Siller.
Labels: Dr. Senta Siller, Germany, Women at Their Best
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2:03 PM,
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Happy birthday to Dr Senta Siller
Wednesday, November 17, 2021
"Happy birthday to Dr Senta Siller — the recipient of Germany's highest civil award - for her extensive involvement in projects of women empowerment in rural Pakistan! An artist by profession, Dr Senta has helped many women achieve economic stability through craft business," Bernhard Schlagheck, German Ambassador to Pakistan.
Labels: Birthday, Dr Senta Siller, Germany
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:35 AM,
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German Connections
Saturday, May 12, 2012
German Ambassador Dr. Gunter Mulack meets on Mar 1, 2007 the Afghan students who have been nominated for a scholarship.
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 2:15 PM,
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