Karachi Literature Festival concludes with hopes to celebrate pluralism, push back extremism
February 13, 2017
KARACHI: “Pakistanis are some of the warmest, most considerate, and compassionate people I have met in the world,” said keynote speaker, Bobby Sager, at the closing ceremony of the 8th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) 2017.
The two-and-a-half day festival, which brought together renowned local and international writers, literary personalities, and artists, was closed by founder KLF and managing director Oxford University Press Pakistan Ameena Saiyid OBE. “We wanted to create an intellectual space where the pluralism of Pakistan could come forward and intolerance could be pushed back,” she said.
Discussing the objective of the festival and how the idea came to life, Saiyid said the event was founded with the objective to build bridges of peace. “It is a celebration of hope, as the eminent writer Ghazi Salahuddin has described it. A hope that is persistent and growing with time,” said co-founder KLF Asif Farrukhi in his closing address. He said Sudheendra Kulkarni, the chairman of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the man behind the book launch in India of Pakistan’s former foreign minister, has come up with the idea of a Karachi-Mumbai literature festival. “Why not? Why not let scholars exchange books instead of insults,” said Farrukhi.
Following his address, a moment of silence was observed for renowned educationist, historian, and intellectual Hamida Khuhro, who passed away Sunday morning. American businessman, author of two books, philanthropist, and photographer Bobby Sager struck a chord with the audience when he spoke about the negative media narrative about Pakistan and how he’s been able to "correct people’s perceptions". Among the many things he discussed were the years he and his family spent travelling all across the world and the experiences gained thereof. Having lived in villages and refugee camps the world over, including camps set up for the 2005 earthquake survivors in Pakistan, Sager shared some of his views on helping people. "We never give a handout. We only help people to help themselves…there’s a dignity to that. Pure charity can cripple people."
Author of the critically acclaimed book “A Case of Exploding Mangoes,” journalist Muhammad Hanif took the stage and read a few lines that he was inspired to write after reading Kashmiri novelist and journalist Mirza Waheed’s words. “In Kashmir, poetry issues from both gardens and graves.” Hanif discussed why a writer’s pen sometimes has to "illuminate the oppressive dark sky of our existence".
Beautiful performances by classical dancers Suhaee Abro and Shayma Saiyid, followed by Saif Samejo's melodious voice and the soul-stirring tunes of his band accompanied by Faraz Anwar's guitar riffs, brought the well-put together event of vibrant discussions, music, art, and diversity to a memorable end.
