Lahore: Indian poet, writer and film writer Javed Akhtar will participate in this year’s Faiz Mela, for which the government has issued visas to other Indians including him.
The annual International Faiz Festival is starting this weekend in Lahore. In the three-day program, foreign delegates from different countries including UK, Canada, USA and India will host their various literary, musical and artistic activities.
More than 60 events will be held at the Alhamra Arts Council, which will include debates, lectures, theatre, dance performances and Qawwali gatherings.
Literary circles and citizens have criticized the organizers for allocating expensive tickets to participate in the Faiz festival, so the administration has announced that the entrance to the festival will be free for all.
Preparations for the upcoming three-day literary festival are underway on Alhamra Hall, Mall Road, Canal Road and adjacent roads.
A senior official of Punjab Arts Council while talking to Express Turbine said that ‘most of the programs in Faiz Festival will be free for the public, we are hopeful that despite the political tension and PSL, people will attend the programs in large numbers’.
The schedule of the seventh festival has also been released by Faiz Foundation. According to which this event will continue from 17 to 19 February. The formal ceremony of the event will be held after Friday prayers on the first day.
Muniba Hashmi, daughter of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, said, “Staying true to our tradition, Faiz Festival is moving forward with the vision and mission of Faiz Ahmed Faiz. We have tried to strike a balance between quality and relevance with the performances this year.” have been. What we hope to achieve is that the performances and guests are relevant to the current situation.’
He said that this year a large delegation from India is also participating in the festival and we are grateful to the government of Pakistan for issuing visas to them. Renowned Indian lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar will head the Indian delegation. During the fair, he will launch his new book and will also be a part of the mushaira.
Muniba further revealed that she will also be a part of the panel, which will be moderated by Adeel Hashmi. He explained and said, ‘Poets and artists of India will also be included in the said panel, Rizwan Wali Muhammad, son of Habib Wali Muhammad, is coming to Pakistan from America after 40 years. They will perform songs based on the works of Apna Faiz Sahib, a delegation of Qawwals from Sabri family from UK will perform their art. Kathak dancer Farah Yasmeen Shaikh is also coming to Faiz Mela.
He said that tickets have been reserved for singer Shafqat Amanat Ali’s concert, the price of which will be 3 thousand rupees, apart from this, people will be able to participate in all the programs absolutely free, Shafqat will go to the center stage and Faiz will attend the event. will also present his famous songs with the lyrics of Thank you for accepting our invitation. We will also pay special tribute to Amjad Islam Amjad and Zia Mohiuddin Sahib for their support during the fair, apart from this we will also pay special tribute to Faiz.
According to the schedule, Ajuka Theater will present its famous play Aanhi Mai Da Safna on the first day of the event, while on the second day there will be a total of 30 performances in the halls of Alhamra Arts Council. According to the schedule, well-known local personalities including Dr. Arifa Syed, Zahra Nagar, Sarmad Sultan Khost, poet Ali Mazhar, Fazal Jat, Irfan Khost, Imran Abbas, Dr. Sogra Sadaf will participate in the popular fair.
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