5th Sindh Literature Festival takes off today

Three-day event to have sessions in Sindhi and Urdu languages

KARACHI:

The fifth Sindh Literature Festival (SLF) will open on Friday with an aim to highlight the literature, music, dance and media of all the languages spoken in the province.

This year’s theme is the centennial of the discovery of the Mohen-Jo-Darro civilization in 1922. In this regards a press conference was jointly organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi and Sindh Literary Foundation at Hasina Moin Hall.

ACP President Muhammad Ahmad Shah, renowned writer Noorul Huda Shah, Dr Ayub Sheikh, Naseer Gopang and Zohaib Kaka gave a briefing about the fetival.

Speaking on the occasion, the ACP president said that the fifth episode of SLF starting on March 18 will include music, cultural dance, media, literature, discussions and debates in all languages. The festival will have sessions in Sindhi and Urdu languages.

The opening ceremony is being held at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi. This is a three-day festival.

Shah said that earlier this festival was held elsewhere. Now it has come home. We are very happy to be a partner of this festival. Congratulations to the management and hope this continues.

Talking to media, Noorul Huda Shah said, “For the last four years you have been watching the festival. The festival was started in difficult and unfavourable conditions. These challenges are not yet over. Holding this festival was a difficult task. The good thing about the festival is that Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, provided the platform. We have Ahmad Shah’s full support. The entire Arts Council team contributes to this festival. Hopefully this support will continue. This festival is held for the people of Sindh. Every language spoken in Sindh is a part of this festival. Culture, literature and criticism are all part of this festival. This is the only way for evolution to run this country.”

In his views, Naseer Gopang said, “The festival started with great difficulty. We strive to represent every language and class. SLF is working to bring people together. This is not Sindhi literature festival, it is Sindh Literature Festival. This year’s theme is Mohenjo-daro.”

Expressing his views, Dr. Ayub Sheikh said, “There were many difficulties in organising this festival but the Arts Council has opened its doors. The Arts Council has grown so large that we are now organising all programmes here. This is good news.

All our institutions and programmes cannot be completed without the participation of youth especially women. Hopefully everyone will enjoy this three-day festival.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2022.