LAHORE: The fifth three-day (15-17th) Faiz Festival titled Bol Zuban Ab Tak Teri Hai will begin at the Alhamra Art Center, The Mall, on Friday.

The festival being organised by the Faiz Foundation Trust in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council (LAC) will feature discussions, visual art exhibitions, tributes, book launches, music and theatre performances.

Preparations for the event are in full swing and people from all walks of life including Faiz lovers are expected to be part of it. The festival over the years has carved out a place in city’s cultural calendar.

Speaking to Dawn, Moneeza Hashmi, a trustee of the Faiz Foundation Trust, threw light on the salient features of the festival that, she said, is being dedicated to Baba Guru Nanank on his 550th birth anniversary.

“Bhiwender Singh from the UK and Dr Arvinder Chamak from Amritsar are participating in the event. Bhiwender Singh has also contributed to an exhibition being organised by the Faiz Foundation Trust in collaboration with Unesco. The exhibition is titled Aao Sach Jagaao Sach and it will open on the inaugural day. Besides, the Sikh guests also have their respective book launches,” said Ms Hashmi who is also the chairperson, Board of Governors, Lahore Arts Council.

She said both Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Baba Guru Nanak belonged to Narowal.

She said music had been an essential component of the Faiz festival and this year, Ali Sethi would sing. His performance Guloonn Mein Rang Bharay would be an added attraction for the visitors on the inaugural day, she said.

She said Zia Mohyeddin would be reciting Faiz’s poetry with a group from the National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi. Arshad Mahmood has come up with a new composition for this particular performance. “Zia Mohyeddin has immaculately mashed up Faiz’s poetry and letters for the evening titled Aik Shaam Faiz Ahmed Faiz Kay Naam,” she said.

Among other features would be tributes to Kaifi Azmi and Khayam. In the tribute titled Yaroon Say Paiman-e-Wafa to Kaifi Azmi, a message from Shabana Azmi would also be screened. Arshad Mahmood and Dr Amjad Pervaiz would pay tribute to Khayam and the event has been aptly titled Kab Yaad Mein Tera Sath Nahi.

Mein Tenu Fair Milaan Gi is expected to be a scintillating tribute to Amrita Pritam and Sahir Ludhianvi.

For youngsters, actress Mahira Khan’s participation will be star attraction. She would be in conversation with Sarmad Khoosat and Mira Hashmi on the topic Stardom with Responsibility.

The festival will also have sessions on literature, politics and the media. On Saturday, Roshaneh Zafar, Ahsan Khan, Asghar Nadeem Syed and Simi Raheel will be on the panel discussing the topic of Using Media to Address Social Issues.

The topical issue of climate will be highlighted by Fahad Rizwan (Green Squad), Rafay Alam and Zillay Mariam.

In Pakistan: The Way Forward, Asad Umar, Shazia Marri, Ahsan Iqbal, Roshan Bharucha and Sitara Ayaz will share their thoughts.

At another session, Nasim Zehra, Wusutullah Khan and Wajahat Masood, along with Hamid Mir, will enlighten the audience on the state of media in the present times.

There will also be sessions on the lives and times of Asma Jahangir, Altaf Fatima, Khalida Hussain and Fehmida Riaz.

Babar Sattar, Salima Hashmi and Shahnawaz Zaidi will be with Noor ul Hassan to speak about the Rawalpindi conspiracy case. The day will be rounded off with outdoor activities including Drum Circle.

The last day (Sunday) will also have many enlightening sessions. Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Raza Rabbani and Shahid Malik will speak about the burning issue of Kashmir and it will be moderated by Ali Dayan Hassan.

The other topics of discussion will be the future of cinema, sportswomen of the country, digital media, the journey of qawwali through history, and the untold story of Jallianwala Bagh tragedy.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2019