TOBA TEK SINGH: Four-day 11th Lyallpur Art & Literature Festival 2026 started at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) on Monday.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony, VC Prof Dr Zulfiqar Ali said art and literature beautified the world and open up new avenue of critical thinking, unwrapped the realities of life and served as vital tools for cognitive development, social cohesion and historical preservation.

“The art and literature work as the heartbeat of human civilisation, offering much more than mere decoration or entertainment. At a fundamental level, it fosters deep empathy by allowing individuals to inhabit the experiences, struggles from vastly different backgrounds and develop critical thinking,” he also stated and added that the festival reflected the UAF commitment to promote cultural diversity, creativity, and intellectual growth among the youth.

On inaugural day, multiple events took place simultaneously including All Pakistan Parliamentary Championship, Virsa Music Fest, SUKHAN 26, Rotaract Leadership Competition and alumni mushaira.

Students, scholars, and artists from educational institutions across the country are participating in the festival.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2026