Honoring a Champion: Dr. Senta Siller's Legacy Takes Root at University of Okara
Friday, April 10, 2026
Dr. Senta Siller is receiving a commemorative shield from the Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sajjad Mubeen of the University of Okara at a ceremony in her honour. Dr. Mubeen also announced to name the first under-construction female Hostel of the university after Dr. Senta Siller.
Labels: Okara, Tribute, University of Okara
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:47 AM,
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Dr. Senta Siller and Professor Dr. Norbert Pintsch in Pakistan
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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From the Past
Allama Iqbal house & museum located near Lahore Railway Station is the last residence of Pakistan's national poet/ philosopher Muhammad Iqbal. Allama Iqbal lived here from 1935 til his death in 1938. Several of Allama Iqbal's personal items are preserved and displayed, including original furniture, clothes, medications and original manuscripts and diaries. Very well maintained and a must-see for everyone.
Please also see pages 65-66 here
Labels: Anees Yaqub, DGFK e V Berlin, Iqbal House Lahore, Prof Norbert Pintsch, SPARC Project Lahore
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:54 AM,
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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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Senta Maria Anna Siller
Saturday, March 7, 2026
Visit this link (https://archive.org/details/projekt-die-jahreszeiten) to know more about Dr Senta Siller and discover some of the steps in her journey from the city child (Vienna) to becoming a village child, and with these experiences and skills, returning to the city (Berlin) and then the world...
Labels: Dr. Sena Siller
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 9:30 AM,
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Thatta Kedona at DACCHI Bazaar in LAHORE
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Labels: DACCHI, Lahore, Thatta Kedona
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 11:30 AM,
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Off to Thatta Kedona
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Unimaginable – a generation ago, the journey from Lahore to Thatta Ghulamka Dheroka (TGD) took eight hours; a round trip in one day was hardly possible. Tongas and rickshaws were the usual means of transport in rural areas. There wasn't a single gas station between Lahore and Okara.
The situation improved with the construction of the Lahore-Multan Highway, so that visitors, by car or bus (e.g., from universities), increasingly visited the village of TGD.
Sustainable tourism developed. Guests could stay overnight with accommodation and meals; thanks to the drinking water project, fish could be offered for local consumption; neem tree leaves for insect repellent were available, as were sugarcane spread and fresh buffalo milk.A prize was regularly awarded for the most beautiful mud house (Preservation of Cultural Heritage).
Historical sites were highlighted in the surrounding area (the fort in Gogera, Lord Berkeley's cemetery near Gogera / separatist terrorists rebelled against the occupiers – the first days of independence); the publication "Dolls, Toys and More" by S A J Shirazi, published by Feroszons, draws attention to places of interest: Patoki, Sahiwal, Okara, and Sher Garh.
The project's sustainability in this context was repeatedly hampered by major political events (nuclear tests), security concerns, and natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and pandemics, so that domestic and international guests and visitors could take advantage of the pleasant temperatures between September and March.
TK (Thatta Kedona) lives on, preserving its traditional character. Local culture and looks optimistically to the future:
-In 2019, an art project (Artist in Residence Peter Hecht) was successfully carried out,
-In 2021, the crime novel *The Village of Dolls* by Hans Sachs was published,
-In 2024, Dr. Gwendolyne Kulick received her doctorate with a research dissertation in which the TK project also played a role.
-In 2025, after 25 years, the doll project participated in the Bazaar 2025 in Berlin with its own stand, under the patronage of Dr. Senta – a wonderful sign of the connection between tradition and the future.
Labels: Dolls Toys and More, Dr Norbert Pintsch, Dr. Gwendolyne Kulick, Peter Hecht, TGD, Thatta Kedona, The Village of Dolls
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 3:15 PM,
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