The Information, Youth and Culture Department on Tuesday decided to launch a coffee table book to attract visitors by documenting the city’s art and culture, Daily Times learnt.

The book will contain important information about the art, culture and heritage of Lahore. It will also include notes on archeological sites, buildings and festivals.

The project proposal was submitted in 2006. The book will have pictures and research material. It will be designed keeping in view the tourists’ and visitors’ needs.

The monuments managed by the Punjab Archaeological Department (PAD) will also be included in the book. The book will also contain information on the development in the arts and culture. Abu Sami, who was awarded Pride of Performance for his photographs of monuments, is likely to provide material to be published in the book. The book will take four months to complete.

Following are some of the festivals, buildings and archeological sites approved by the government for a mention in the book:

Festivals: Mela Chiraghan, Data Darbar, Basant, Horse and cattle Show, Kabadi matches, World Performing Arts Festival, Muharramul Haram, Ramazan activities, Wagha Border Flag Ceremony etc. Art galleries: Humail Art Gallery, Shakir Ali Museum, Ejaz Art Gallery, Lahore Art Gallery, Co-opera Art Gallery.

Museums: Zoological Gardens, Museum Puppetry, Faqir Khana Museum, Chughtai Museum Trust, National Museum, paintings and artifacts at the Permanent Art Gallery, art pieces at the Lahore Museum, Lahore Forts artifacts. Mosques and shrines: Badshahi Masjid, Masjid Wazir Khan, Ibrahim Mosque, Mian Mir and all city shrines.

Buildings: Civil Secretariat, Government College (University), National College of Arts, Jinnah Town Hall, General Post Office, Lahore High Court, Tollington Market, Marble Pavilion, Lahore Railway Station.

Gardens: Lawrence Gardens, Shalamar Gardens, Jillani Park, Sozo Water Park, Jallo Park, Wildlife Park Lahore and the parks maintained by the Parks and Horticulture Authority.

Moreover, history of the gates to the Walled City, Mughal period monuments including the tombs of Asif Khan, Noor Jehan, Anarkali, Ali Mardan, Dai Anga, Jahangir, Dewan-e-Aam, Dewan-e-Khas, Sheesh Mahal, Alamgeri Gate and Shah Burj Quadrangle will be included. The heritage sites of Sikhs and Hindus will also be mentioned.