Javed Akhtar set to attend Faiz Festival in Lahore as India's head delegate

The annual International Faiz Festival is set to commence in Lahore this weekend. The three-day event will host foreign delegates from countries including the UK, Canada, USA, and India for its various literary, music, and art activities. More than 60 events – comprising discussions, lectures, theatre, dance performances, and qawwali will be held at the Alhamra Arts Council.

Contrary to earlier runs, all festivities at the Faiz Festival will be free of cost for the general public after the organisers faced criticism over ticket pricing of the renowned event. The preparations at the Alhamra Hall, Mall Road, and its adjacent roads including Canal Road continue for the upcoming three days of the literary mela.

"This is why most performances of the Faiz Festival will be open to the public, free of cost, as the last installment of the event didn't get the response we were expecting. The attendees were not happy with the pricing of some performances," a senior official of the Punjab Arts Council told The Express Tribune. "At the moment, the public in Punjab is spoiled for choices considering the PSL is in full swing as well. However, we will try our best to win back the audience that has been disappointed by the past events."

The schedule of the seventh installment of the festival has also been issued by the Faiz Foundation. According to the programme, the event will continue from February 17 to 19. A formal ceremony for the event will be held on the first day after Friday prayers.

"Staying true to its roots, Faiz Festival is moving forward with the vision and mission of Faiz Ahmad Faiz," the late poet's daughter, Muneeza Hashmi, shared with the publication. "We're trying to bring in a balance between the quality and the relevance with the performances this year. What we hope to achieve is that the performances and guests are in accordance with the current circumstances."

She went on to add, "This year, a huge delegation from India is also attending the festival and we are thankful to the government of Pakistan for issuing them visas. Renowned Indian lyricist and poet, Javed Akhtar will be at the forefront of the said delegation. During the festival, he will be launching his new book and will be a part of the mushaira as well."

Muneeba further revealed that he will also be a part of the panel, which would be moderated by Adeel Hashmi. "The said panel will include poets and artists from India who are part of the delegation," she said while elaborating, "Rizwan Wali Muhammad, son of Habib Wali Muhammad, is coming to Pakistan from the US after 40 years. He will present his father's and Faiz's works, including his own songs he has composed in the US. From the UK, a delegation of qawwals from the family of Sabri gharana will be performing. Kathak dancer Farah Yasmeen Sheikh is also coming to the Faiz festival."

She further assured, "All performances are free of cost except the singer Shafqat Amanat Ali's concert which will cost Rs 3000 per ticket. Shafqat will take the centre stage and perform his father's songs as well as his own hits at the event. We are truly grateful that he accepted our invitation. We are also paying a special tribute to Amjad Islam Amjad and Zia Mohyeddin Sahab during the festival due to their contribution. Besides this, a special tribute will also be presented to Faiz."

On the first day of the event, Ajoka Theatre is performing its famous play, Anhi Mai Da Sufna, while on the second day of the event, a total of 30 performances will be held in the halls of Alhamra Arts Council. According to the schedule, prominent local personalities including Dr Arifa Sayed, Zahra Nigar, Sarmad Sultan Khosat, poet Ali Mazhar, Fazal Jaat, Irfan Khosat, Imran Abas, Dr Sugra Sadaf will be attending the popular festival.

Last weekend was a literary heaven for residents of Lahore with the Pakistan Literature Festival (PLF) taking the stage at the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore. A historic event of its kind, the literature festival was spread into three days of sessions, performances and interactive exhibitions on art, poetry, society, economy, entertainment ventures and tributes celebrating the rich literature, culture and legends of the country.

The event was inclusive of all forms of arts and had sessions and activities for all age groups. There was live painting, classic dance performances, book stalls, food, concerts, and discussions on current affairs like climate change, the bad air quality of Lahore and the economy, among other topics.

At the closing ceremony, the festival paid tribute to the services and works of Naheed, Dada and Nahid Siddiqui and presented them with Lifetime Achievement Awards. The event concluded with a few words by Anwar Maqsood on culture, society and Pakistan.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.