KARACHI: The Persian New Year, Nauroz, was celebrated at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi on Tuesday evening.

Speaking on the occasion, Director of the Khana-i-Farhang Dr Saeed Talibi Nia wished everyone a happy Nauroz and hoped that the rest of the year would bring happiness and success to all.

Dr Nia said an important aspect of Nauroz is for the people to mend fences with, befriend, and express love to those who in the past year they have had differences with. “Since it’s the beginning of a new year, I’d also request everyone gathered here [at the Arts Council] to extend the hand of friendship towards those who you’ve felt cross with in order to co-exist with peace and love. The council is the biggest cultural space in the city so I thank the organisers for having us here. I promise that the next year the celebrations will be held on a bigger scale.”

Next up was an endearing performance by a young singer, Sameer, who sang Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poem ‘Mere qatil mere dildar’.

The last segment of the event was a mushaira presided over by Firasat Rizvi. The other poets were Syed Najmuddin Moosvi, Alauddin Khanzada, Dr Ambareen Hasib Amber, Nasim Nazish, Dr Fatema Hassan and Khalid Irfan.

Nasim Nazish, Dr Fatema Hassan read nazms.

Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2023