ILF wraps up with Sufi magic

The 10th Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF), themed "Words Change Mindsets," came to a close on Sunday.

The event featured 50 thought-provoking sessions, including film screenings, dance performances, poetry readings, theatre and a memorable Sufi night. The closing ceremony took place on Sunday evening at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium, with over 100 literary and cultural personalities attending as keynote speakers.

Speaking about the significance of such events, writer and critic Muneeza Shamsie said, "ILF has shown us the power of the unity of words, which fosters dialogue and sparks movements for change." Poet and author Najeeba Arif supported her view, stating, "Literature shapes our ideologies and gives us the opportunity to see the world from others' perspectives."

Mohammad Mikail Soomro, Head of Corporate Communications at Getz Pharma, emphasised the importance of supporting literary platforms, saying, "We take pride in being part of an initiative that promotes intellectual discourse and nurtures Pakistan's literary culture."

Arshad Saeed Hussain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan, expressed his gratitude to participants and supporters, stating, "Our goal is to make literature a tool for social change in building a progressive and equal society. We are delighted to have a growing group of friends who strengthen our mission."

On the third day, the festival continued with the launch of five new books. The book 'Akbar in Wonderland' by Umber Khairi was launched, with the author discussing her character's struggles and the social and political context of the 1990s in conversation with Amir Ghori. In the Urdu fiction category, Najeeba Arif's Muzahar-o-Mubahis was presented, with Abid Hussain Sial discussing themes like cultural identity and modernity.

Shahid Siddiqui's latest book Toronto, Dubai, and Manchester was also discussed, where he shed light on the social and political landscapes of these three cities. M Athar Tahir's Telling Twilight explored the poetic search for nature and the past, while Muhammad Asim Butt's Pani Pe Likhi Kahani prompted a deep reflection on time and memory.

The festival also featured the launch of Poetry from Pakistan, a collection of English poetry edited by Ilona Yusuf and Shafiq Naz. The panel featured various poets who presented their work and discussed the state of English poetry in Pakistan.

Panel discussions covered a wide range of topics, including journalism and public discourse, issues related to social media, the identity of Urdu literature in Pakistan, and the urban development aspects of Islamabad. Columnist and anchorperson Hamid Mir, along with other notable figures, took part in the discussions.

The festival concluded with a captivating Sufi Night by Akbar Ali Khan, which left the audience deeply moved and entertained.