The annual International Faiz Festival is set to commence in Lahore on February 17 (tomorrow). Indian poet, author, and film writer Javed Akhtar will also attend the event.
The three-day event will host foreign delegates from countries including the UK, Canada, the USA, and India for its various literary, musical, and artistic activities.
The festival comprises more than 60 events that include discussions, lectures, theatre, dance performances, and qawwali.
All festivities at the Faiz Festival will be free of cost for the general public after the organisers faced criticism over the ticket pricing of the event.
The Faiz Foundation has also issued the schedule for the seventh installment of the festival.
The event will continue from February 17 to 19. A formal ceremony for the event will be held on the first day after Friday prayers.
The late poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s daughter, Muneeza Hashmi, said that the Faiz Festival is moving ahead with the mission and vision of the revolutionary poet.
"During the festival, a special tribute will be paid to the late Amjad Islam Amjad and late Zia Mohyeddin," she added.
She said that a huge delegation from India will also attend the festival.
She also expressed thanks to the government of Pakistan for issuing them visas.
Muneeza further revealed that Javed Akhtar will also be a part of a panel moderated by Adeel Hashmi.
"The said panel will include poets and artists from India who are part of the delegation," she said.
She further said that all performances are free of cost except for the singer Shafqat Amanat Ali's concert, which will cost Rs 3000 per ticket.
Last weekend was a literary heaven for residents of Lahore, with the Pakistan Literature Festival (PLF) taking the stage at the Alhamra Arts Council in Lahore.