LAHORE: The first day of Children’s Literature Festival (CLF) Lahore 2018 which was held in collaboration with the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) couldn’t grab the attention of masses due to mismanagement and traffic problems.
CLF on Saturday was inaugurated by Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif.
Initially, the event was going to be held in the Wazir Khan Masjid Dehli gate, however, WLCA did not authorise the venue for security measures. In the last week, before the beginning of the event, the venue shifted from Dehli gate to Lahore Fort.
According to CLF Managing Director Amtul Basit, “Last night WLCA informed us that CLF cannot be conducted near the building walls because UNESCO does not allow that”.
A stall manager, speaking to Pakistan Today, stated that they struggled for two hours just to get set up a single stall and showed his disdain by claiming that the management was not in a position to conduct such an event.
Irfan Khan Yousafzai, the manager of a Karachi-based publisher, enthusiastically appreciating the event, accepted that there were problems however to encourage such events in Pakistan it should still be appreciated.
Meanwhile, the Ferozpur Road was blocked for security reason after two people were killed on Friday near Data Darbar due to which the traffic became congested.
The event has been previously been held in 45 cities of Pakistan, including Peshawar, Swat, Mardan, Swabi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Quetta, Gwadar, Ghotki, Sukkur, Larkana, Mithi, Naushero, Hyderabad, Jamshoro and Karachi.
According to the programme management, “CLF is an equaliser, a social movement, for unlocking the power of reading and learning through all senses”.
The festival is a free public event to enjoy the art of reading, creativity and critical thinking for all children, teachers and families.
CLF day one had a packed programme featuring interactive storytelling sessions, Harry Potter booth, the art of booking making and talks on how to promote, libraries, heritage, peace.
The festival also featured book launches, workshop by well-known children’s author, poets and artist, theatre and bookstalls.
