LAHORE: The concluding day of the Lahore Literary Festival on Sunday saw an impressive turnout as people of all ages—especially the youth—flocking to Alhamra, the venue of the festival.

Alhamra was decorated with colourful buntings, marigolds and other floral arrangements, while illuminations added to the festive spirit.

A tastefully decorated corner provided visitors with a space to sit and relax, while seating arrangements on the lawns allowed attendees to enjoy sun basking and vibrant atmosphere. Food and music were integral parts of the festival, which enhanced the cultural experience.

Live music performances by teachers and students of the Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts created a melodious and enchanting ambiance. Both instrumental and vocal performances captivated the audience, as musicians played the flute, harmonium and guitar in the lush green Burney Garden.

Throughout the three-day festival, visitors showed keen interest in various literary sessions, book launches, and discussions. On Sunday, one of the sessions was the launch of a short story collection by Dr Nasir Abbas Nayyer. The collection, titled Majmooa, comprises five books—one newly written and four previously published works. The session was moderated by Ayaz Ahmad from Sang-e-Meel Publications.

Speaking at the event, Dr Nayyer addressed a common question posed to him—how a critic like him developed a passion for writing short stories. He said that he had initially started his literary journey by writing short stories before turning to critique. He said there was misconception that critics cannot engage in creative writing.

He said that crafting a short story is an inherently creative process.

Drawing a comparison between past and present-day writers, Dr Nayyer said that traditional storytellers, who wrote dastaans and tales, were often content with fate, whereas contemporary writers seek reasons behind life’s experiences—both good and bad.

He spoke on different types of fiction,distinguishing between entertaining fiction—such as the dastaans of the past—and creative fiction, which has become a valuable part of literature. He said that entertaining fiction thrived during the early industrial era when machines became common, and people sought storytelling as a way to unwind after a tiring day’s work.

The session proved to be insightful and engaging, covering various aspects of storytelling, literary critique, and the evolving nature of fiction writing.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2025