The first Islamabad Literary Festival (ILF) came to an end with lots of literary activity, fun and learning on Wednesday.
The second day of the two-day festival was thronged by thousands of booklovers and professional writers. The festival was not just of books, but of thoughts and ideas, where writers and thinkers could air their opinion with freedom. So enormously crowded, the hotel was left without space where this auspicious event was arranged.
Visitors were highly excited to find literary giants around them. “Here I can talk with Mustansar Hussain Tarar. The festival has given us a chance to meet our heroes we could not have thought seeing them around,” said Natasha, a visitor to the festival.
An interesting feature of the festival was the team of volunteers which was available to assist every visitor. “My name for a volunteer was passed on by my teacher to the ILF committee and we are selected by our schools based on our abilities,” said Aimel. “I am enjoying work here and have learned a lot.”
The sessions included readings and conversation with Mohammad Hanif; drama Hum Kia Dekhty Hain, a panel discussion in “Pakistan at the Crossroads”, where discussants were Layle Zuberim, Amjad Islam Amjad, Khawar Azhar, and Seema Taher Khan
In another session titled “Pakistan and Afghanistan: Conflict and Extremism”, Zahid Husain said “I am worried about Pakistan because terrorism and extremism is going to increase after the withdrawal of the US forces in 2014.” He said the roots of militancy were deeply rooted in society because of its patronage in Pakistan. “The political parties that believe the issue of the Taliban will end with the withdrawal of the US forces live in a fool’s paradise”.
Analyst Amir Rana said Pakistan needed to develop a bilateral approach to Afghanistan. Riaz Khokar said the major stakeholders had to be involved for the solution of the Afghanistan issue. “Pakistan will suffer a lot because none of political parties have vision on how to resolve the issue,” he said.
In another session Zia Mohyeddin read from his book “Carrot is a Carrot”. The name of the book comes from Anton Chekhov’s famous quote that his wrote his wife: “You ask “What is life?” That is the same as asking “What is a carrot?” A carrot is a carrot and we know nothing more.
Mohyeddin’s session was jam packed with people from all age groups who sat on the floor or remained standing throughout the session. Mohyeddin, who is now eighty years old, narrated several interesting experiences from his life, especially his early adventures in the Pakistan film industry.
Along with these interactive sessions, a huge book fair involving hundreds of publishers from across the country, was also set up in the lawn of the hotel. Books on literature, art, religion, sports, cooking, and politics were of great attraction to booklovers.
Talking to the Pakistan Today, the ILF management team said such festivals were regularly held in Karachi and Lahore but it was the first time they were able to bring it in Islamabad. “The people of Islamabad have responded well to the festival. Normally, we never receive such a large number of visitors in book fairs,” the team said.
