Curtain rises on 2024 LLF

Initiative underway to search for, promote budding poets

LAHORE:

The Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) 2024 kicked off with a Qawali at the Alhamra Arts Center on Friday. The grandeur of the festival, echoing through the halls, symbolized Lahore's unyielding commitment to intellectual exploration, cultural richness and artistic innovation. The LLF celebrates literature, arts and culture annually, bringing together writers, intellectuals and artists from across the globe. Alhamra is a dynamic venue for this festival, reflecting Lahore's commitment to nurturing the arts.

The inaugural ceremony featured LLF Chairman Iqbal Z. Ahmed, CEO Serena Hotels Aziz Boolani, British Council Country Director James Hampson and the EU’s Head of Communication, Trade and Political Affairs Pakistan Piotr Buszta, setting the stage for an intellectual extravaganza. Renowned poet Iftikhar Arif and former principal NCA Salima Hasmi also spoke.

Alhamra pulsated with literary energy, hosting various spellbinding sessions, from soul-stirring musical performances to Joseph Massad's keynote on Islam in liberalism, enthralling screenings, and engaging book discussions. The festival's kaleidoscopic diversity was reflected in the passionate dialogue, sparking intellectual fireworks.

Also read: 5 takeaways to ponder from Karachi Literature Festival 2024

The upcoming days promise an intellectual feast at Alhamra as the epicenter of conversations that challenge norms, celebrate diversity, and champion the spirit of free thought.

At the LLF, efforts to find the National Youth Poet Laureate of Pakistan are underway, with poets between the age of 16 and 25 submitting their poetry works. As many as 20 young poets will be considered in the first phase, with two poets finalized for their work in Urdu and English respectively. The finalists will visit the USA and meet with renowned writers and educationists. The deadline for receiving applications is March 31st, said renowned American poet, writer and educator Michael Cirelli.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Cirelli and his wife Dr Sara Zaidi shared their vision and plan to search for budding young poets and are working with institutions including LUMS, Kinnaird College and other universities to find talent.

"We also visiting universities of Karachi and Islamabad and we are happy that we are getting a warm response from the side of young poets," he said.