Celebrations started on 13 August with the Damazin Kindergarten School's band playing welcome tunes, Sudanese national songs and the national anthem as well as distribution of donations, which School Principal Ghada Abdelkader thanked the Pakistani Contingent for.

"Gestures like these are indeed motivating more and more young boys and girls of the town to join school and will eventually assist in increasing the literacy rate of the area," Ms. Abdelkader said addressing the crowd.

On the evening of 14 August, events showcasing Pakistani culture were attended by local people, dignitaries from the Sudanese Armed Forces and Sudan People's Liberation Army as well as UNMIS officials.

"The locals here have never witnessed such a wonderful cultural show before," a Damazin resident attending the military bands performance remarked.

Speaking at the ceremony, Governor of Blue Nile State Lt Gen Malik Agar noted the diversity of Pakistani culture and varied skills of the Pakistani Contingent. "They have (the) ability to perform, whether it is an operational task or cultural show, peacekeeping matters or event arrangement," he said.

The guests also had the opportunity to look at Pakistani artisan and embroidery work on display. To make the event complete, the contingent played host for the locals and offered a taste of traditional Pakistani dishes.

Celebrations were attended by town officials as well as ambassadors from Pakistan, Japan and Indonesia, Assistant Special Representative of the Secretary-General Farid Zarif, Acting Force Commander Brig. Gen. Moin Ud Din Ahmed, Col. Shoaib Taqi, the Pakistani Defence Attaché and other military personnel.