Pakistan

Promoting literature: Print anthology of online magazine launched

The magazine, ‘The Missing Slate’ focuses on a number of social issues.

Our Correspondent April 13, 2015

It was through an online funding campaign from various countries that the magazine was able to print the anthology. STOCK IMAGE

ISLAMABAD: The print anthology of international arts and literary magazine, ‘The Missing Slate’ (TMS) was launched here on the weekend.

The anthology features work of writers and poets from over 14 countries including Bulgaria, Pakistan, India, Singapore, Hungary, Cyprus, Germany, Lebanon, Britain, Poland, Slovakia, Bangladesh, the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It also includes pieces of international contemporary literature, essays from the magazine’s editorial staff in Norway, Austria, Canada, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Brainchild of Maryam Piracha, who is editor-in-chief and Creative Director Moeed Tariq, the magazine has had an online-only presence until recently. It was through an online funding campaign from various countries that the magazine was able to print the anthology.

Spanning nearly five years, covering as many time zones and eight countries where the diverse editorial staff resides, the anthology features work from Pakistani poets Mehvash Amin, Mavra Rana, Afzal Syed Ahmed and Faruq Hassan.

“This has been the result of four and a half years of happily toiling away in our little corner of the world,” said Piracha. “Since the beginning, our focus has always been on being as inclusive as possible – we haven’t just been focusing on Pakistan and Pakistani writing but also on writings of many others from all across the globe.”

According to Tariq, the anthology combines the power of the arts to gather writers who would typically find it difficult to gain wider recognition. “Their work travels continents and goes beyond countries and cultures.”

The event programme followed readings of featured poets and writers such Amin from Pakistan, Fiona Inglis from Scotland and Shika Malaviya from the US. On the occasion, poet Ilona Yusuf rendered one of her untitled poems.

Guests at the launch included Hungarian Ambassador Istvan Szabo, Austrian envoy Birgitta Blaha and the US Embassy’s Cultural Attaché Judith Ravin.

The magazine focuses on a number of social issues such as women’s rights, child labour, prostitution and patriarchy.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2015.