LAHORE: The Maker Fest is coming to Pakistan to celebrate grassroots innovation, invention and creativity.

The two-day event, being organised by Society of Advancement of Makers, Arts and Justice (SAMAAJ), will be held on July 27 and 28. It will feature workshops, talk sessions, film screenings, performances and a diverse exhibition of 100 makers.

The Maker Fest Pakistan is the continuation of the internationally renowned Maker Faires, hosted across America, Europe, Africa and parts of Asia.

The theme of the festival this year is Indus Valley Civilisation, aiming at owning own and celebrating the ancient culture of making which has been a part of the culture of the subcontinent. The idea is to promote and strengthen local creativity and innovation while elevating the ‘Do-It-Yourself’ culture which often goes missing from the so many traditional tech, art and craft fairs.

The festival offers an opportunity to hundred makers from arts and technology to showcase their creations. Both the days will start at 10am and end after 8:30pm at Faletti’s Hotel. The first day will have sessions on Indus valley civilisation, start-up ecosystem, creative freedom and ceramic making and workshops on puppet making, 3D printing and design etc.

The second day will feature sessions on books, film, performing arts and music performances while the workshops on the day will include those on arts and solar energy.

Dr Mubarik Ali, Kamil Khan, Mumtaz, Nighat Chaodhry and Dr Umar Saif will participate in the festival and it would conclude with performances by Ustad Mubarik Ali Khan and Rakae Jamil.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2017