Shanaakht 2009 Press Conference at The Karachi Arts Council

KARACHI The Shanaakht Festival 2009, which is scheduled to run from April 8 to April 12 at the Arts Council of Pakistan, aims to reinvigorate the national spirit within people while bringing top artistes and performers to the citizens of Karachi free of cost.

This was stated by the organisers of the event at a press conference held at the Arts Council on Thursday.
`We want this festival to be of an international level. It`s an opportunity for common citizens to enjoy (the work of) top level artists free of charge`, said film-maker and Citizens Archive of Pakistan president Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. CAP has organised the event.

This is the second time the festival is taking place in the city after its initial run in 2007. According to the press release distributed at the event, the festival aims to “unite Pakistanis as one nation as we explore the formative years of our country and come together at a time when unity is needed in Pakistan”.
 The press release adds that timings for the festival are as follows from 9am to 1pm for schools and from 3pm to 9pm for the public. 

Among the major events planned at Shanaakht 2009 include several art and photography exhibitions such as Sohni Dharti II, Re-do Pakistan, the Four Faces of Karachi (featuring the vintage photographs of Lutfullah Khan), Then and Now (curated by Amean J), Forgotten Paradise collection of Iqbal Akhund`s photographs of Kashmir, Apnay Watan ke Saaray Rung Char Soobay, Char Ung (a mural exhibit), oral history project audio and video clips as well as Unforgettable Cricket Memories slideshow of images by Iqbal Munir.

Other events include street theatre performances, story-telling by Pakistani pioneers as well as book readings arranged by The Second Floor.

Apart from the abovementioned events which are scheduled to be held daily, special events include a performance of Khwabo Kay Musafir by the Napa Repertory Theatre on April 8, Rang Badal Lo Bhai by Tehrik-i-Niswan (April 9), an evening with Anwar Maqsood (April 10), a children`s play titled A True Story (April 11) and Raag and Roll, a concert on the final night of the festival (April 12).