Zubair Qureshi
The Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF), a celebration of literature and literary personalities, art and artists, books and readers came to a conclusion on Sunday amidst accolades by the local and international visitors, poets and book lovers who had come to spend the day in the company of books and writers. These three days serve as a blissful but momentary relief from the highly polarized political debates we see every day on our TV screens, they said.
The festival, which began on Friday, brought together authors, readers, and literary enthusiasts for a memorable event of academic exploration and discussion.
The closing ceremony included keynote speeches by Senator Senator Sherry Rehman and senior poet Anwar Masood.
Senator Rehman expressed her appreciation for the revival of the Gandhara Citizens Club. Reiterating the importance of a sustainable planet she shared: “The planet is under stress, and we need to look at possibilities. We are not responsible for the melting glaciers, heatwaves, or monsoons but this does not translate to a total abjection of responsibility at our homes. No army of consultants will be able to formulate policies or develop projects for us and governments alone can also not do this. Climate successes are collaborations, and we all need to play our part in doing so.”
Anwar Masood expressed gratitude to the organizers and highlighted the importance of in literature for a civilized society and a brighter future. He praised poets like Iqbal and said, “In times of unpredictability, poetry has long been a source of solace for individuals. With arts and literature, we can discover a glimmer of hope and unearth significance in the ordinary moments of everyday life.”
In his vote of thanks, Managing Director, Oxford University Press (OUP) , Arshad Saeed Hussain was grateful for the phenomenal response, “Immersed in the compelling narratives and profound discussions of this literary festival, we’ve unravelled the deep ties binding humanity, the planet, and the realms of potential. In these trying times let us offer hope, fostering a united awareness for a world that thrives on sustainability and empathy.”
Muhammad Mikal Soomro, Manager Corporate Communications, Getz Pharma, Pvt. Ltd., lauded the efforts for putting together such an impeccable literary event.
Interim Minister of Information, Murtaza Solangi also attended all three days of the event. ILF 2023 has highlighted the importance of literature as a means of artistic expression and societal connection. The first half of the day featured various discussions like Curriculum, Textbook, High Stakes Assessments- A Way Forward, and Hamari Mitti hui Zabanain. A presentation on Aag ka Darya was followed by a dialogue alongside more panel discussions; Resilient Pakistan- The Sociocultural Impact and Harmony Across Borders, Capital Talk: In conversation with Hamid Mir and Quest for Peace and Security Among Neighbours.
Various informative conversations like Securing Pakistan’s Interest: Navigating Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, The Idle Stance of the Tipple Pigeon, Duktar-e-Rumi, Siyaah Heeray, 1980 ki Dehai Ka Ashob and Rawal Raj also captivated the audience.
Swaang Theatre Group’s performance Aao Drama Karain of Saadat Hasan Manto won huge applause by the audience. Aisha Sarwari, Moneeza Hashmi took a trip down memory lane in the session, Conversations with my Father: Forty Years on- a Daughter Responds, which was moderated by Aisah Sarwari.
Hamid Mir in conversation with Tauseeq Haider spoke about the current political scenario by referring to numerous writers who have fictionalized their accounts to reach a wider audience at the cost of compromising the integrity of the state. He hoped that future generations will instead, do our country the justice it deserves.
The grand finale of ILF 2023 was a memorable ghazal night by Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, where he rendered classical pieces by renowned poets of Pakistan. Throughout the 3-day festival, attendees had the opportunity to meet and interact with prolific authors, discover new voices in the literary world, and engage in thought-provoking discussions on a wide range of topics. The festival’s diverse planning ensured that there was something for everyone.
