Staff Report
LAHORE: The annual three-day global Faiz Festival is set to begin on Friday in Lahore.
Preparations for the upcoming three-day literary festival are under way at A Alhamra Arts Centre on The Mall, Lahore.
Foreign delegates from various nations including the Canada, UK, the USA and India would host various literary, musical and artistic activities during the festival. Famous Indian poet and movie writer Javed Akhtar would also participate in the event. He would launch his new book during the event and would be a part of a Mushaira. The Pakistani government has issued visas to Javed Akhtar and other Indian artists.
More than 60 events would be held at the venue and they include debates, lectures, dance performances and Qawwali gatherings. The administration announced free entry for public as the result of criticism from literary circles and people for allocating expensive tickets to participate in the festival.
Literature Festival brings literature and art lovers together
The Punjab Arts Council said that most of the programmes in the festival will be free for the public. “Despite the political tussle and PSL, we are hopeful that people would attend the programmes in large numbers.
The schedule of the 7th season of the festival has been also released by Faiz Foundation, according to which the event would be held from Feb 17 to 19. The official start of the event would be after Friday prayers on a first day.
Moneezah Hashmi, a daughter of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, said that we are continuing the Faiz festival, furthering the vision and mission of Faiz Ahmea Faiz while sticking to our tradition. “We trying to strike a balance between quality and relevance with the current performance situation this year,” she said.
Moneeza revealed that she will be a part of the panel, which would be moderated by Adeel Hashmi. “Poets and artists of India would also be included in the said panel.
Habib Wali Muhammad’s son Rizwan Wali Muhammad is coming to Pakistan from America after forty years. The delegation of Qawwals from the Sabri family from the United Kingdom would perform their art; Kathak dancer Farah Yasmeen Shaikh is coming to Faiz Mela,” she has affirmed.
She said a ticket had been reserved for singer Shafqat Amanat Ali’s concert, which would be Rs3,000. Shafqat would take to the center stage and perform his famous songs. Tributes would be paid to Amjad Islam Amjad and Zia Mohyeddin for their support during the previous festivals.
According to the schedule, Ajoka Theatre will present its famous play ‘Aanhi Mai Da Sufna’ on the first day of the event. There will be 30 performances on the second day of the festival. According to the schedule of the Faiz festival, well-known local personalities, including Dr. Arfa Sayeda Zehra, Sarmad Sultan Khoosat, poet Ali Mazhar, Fazal Jatt, Irfan Khoosat, Imran Abbas, and Dr. Sughra Sadaf will also be present at the event.
