Thousands attend Karachi Literary Festival in London

LONDON: Thousands of people attended Karachi Literature Festival at the Southbank Centre here exploring Pakistan’s literature, freedom of expression and views of leading modern Pakistani writers and intellectuals.

The KLF took place outside of Pakistan for the first time this year to present before the international audience Pakistan’s literary talent and diversity, its rich history and culture in the context of Pakistan’s 70th foundation anniversary. The festival was held in partnership with Southbank Centre, its Alchemy Festival celebrating South Asian culture, Oxford University Press Pakistan and Bloomsbury Pakistan.

Prominent among those who spoke at various events and discussion shows included Aamer Hussein, Ali Zaidi, Imtiaz Dharker, Kamila Shamsie, Mehreen Jabbar, Mohammed Hanif, Moni Mohsin, Cyrial Almeida, Mirza Waheed, Atiqa Odho, Nimra Bucha, Taimur Rahman, Sayeeda Warsi and Asif Farrukhi.

Mohammed Hanif opened the festival with his keynote speech on Pakistan’s history, hopes and dilemmas. He told the audience that Pakistani writers were coming up with modern ideas and their writings were sharp and intelligent. He spoke about the challenges Pakistani writers face yet continuing with resilience and charting out their identity.

Kamila Shamsie, Qaisra Shahraz and Mirza Waheed spoke at the session titled ‘Reluctant returners: migrants, refugees and memories of the homeland.’

Faizan Fiaz, Ali Zaidi and Leyla Jagiella took part in discussion around the legislations around transgender people and women in Pakistan.

Maheen Khan, Fari Kermani, Atiqa Odho and Journalist Cyril Almeida discussed Pakistan’s politics as well as fashion scene and whether Pakistan is undergoing a fashion renaissance.

The session was moderated by Fifi Haroon. Maheen Khan stressed that Pakistani fashion has been taken over by the textile industry and its character is under threat.

Basir Kazmi, Ishrat Afreen and Harris Khalique examined the challenges Urdu is facing from English and how little is being done to reverse this. This session was chaired by Asif Farrukhi.

Ziauddin Sardar Farooq Bajwa and Iftikhar Malik and Humaira Iqtidar debated on the challenges faced by diaspora Pakistanis in Europe and how they cope.

Omar Shahid Hamid took part in discussion on ‘Karachi: city of lights and gangs’ and explained the current situation of Karachi after the Rangers’ operation and the calm it has brought to the city.

Ted Hodgkinson, Senior Programmer of Literature and Spoken Word, told this scribe that he was amazed when he visited Karachi in 2014 to attend the literary festival and came across the richness of Pakistani literature.

In his remarks, Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, stated that literary and cultural activities can connect diaspora, especially the youth, to their roots and heritage as well as forge mutual understanding and tolerance among different communities.