LAHORE: The 10th edition of the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) started at the Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, in the City of Literature on Friday, heralding the three-day long activities, including sessions of writers, book launches and music performances.

At the inauguration ceremony, Lahore Art Council chairperson Muneeza Hashmi welcomed the audience, terming it a privilege for herself to host the 2022 edition of the LLF. She said she was looking forward to two days of exciting activities, interesting conversations, discussions and sharing of ideas. She termed it pride for Lahore that Unesco had declared it the City of Literature, which the provincial capital of Punjab deserved well. She concluded by declaring, “let the festival begin”.

British High Commissioner Dr Christian Turner underlined the partnership and connection between the UK and Pakistan. He said there were six million British Pakistanis and that there were strong ties and friendship between peoples of both countries. He referred to the book, Empireland, by Sathnam Sanghera who wrote on the legacy of the British empire, including the influence on language, politics and literature and impact on modern British culture.

Mr Turner appreciated the presence of women on the stage during the inaugural ceremony, emphasising diversity and women’s inclusion in every field, saying in Urdu that women’s education was a must for progress of Pakistan. He expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine, facing aggression and war from Russia. Stressing inclusion and dialogue, he said it’s “in the gatherings like this where we listen, where we disagree, where we discourse so that we can bring inclusion and energy together”.

Bank of Punjab Group Consumer and Digital Banking chief Zahid Mustafa said that the festival had become an integral part of the social and intellectual construct of Lahore. Calling Lahore as Pakistan’s most culturally rich city, he said the LLF was an opportunity for the bright young minds to share their ideas. He expressed joy to see the full hall of Alhamra that after a couple of years of Covid-19 where people could not meet one another.

The inauguration ceremony had Ambassador of Spain in Pakistan Manuel Duran Gimenez-Rico, Lahore Commissioner retired Capt Usman and LLF chairman Razi Ahmed, who also spoke. Nusrat Jamil was also present.

During the opening ceremony, Lifetime Achievement awards were given to Urdu poet Amjad Islam Amjad, architect Nayyar Ali Dada and singer Ustad Naseeruddin Sami.

Before the ceremony, Sami Brothers mesmerised the audience by singing a qawwali, ‘Mun Kunto Maula’.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2022