QUETTA: The inaugural two day edition of the Quetta Literary Festival (QLF) kicked off on Monday, bringing loads of literary enthusiasts together at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), where it is being held.
The much awaited literary festival aspires to promote the soft image of Quetta to the country and to the entire world eventually, according to the QLF’s official website.
People all around the city were thrilled for the festival to have finally reached the city and Twitter, of course, had a lot to say about it.
So here we have Quetta’s first ever literary festival in pictures!
There was art, lots of art
Saw some of the most amazing sculptures done by students at #Buitems#QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/a74n6D1NBt
— Ali Hashmi (@Ali_Madeeh) May 7, 2018
#QLF2018 #BUITEMS #Quetta #Baluchistan #Pakistan #Markhors pic.twitter.com/FgmPPAkfEG
— MAHAM ANSARI (@MahamAnsari24) May 8, 2018
What a magical art form sculpture is! Absolutely mesmerizing. What a pity that we have proscribed it along with dance and music in the name of our misguided “religious” values…
Happy to know that it is thriving in #Quetta of all places. #QLF2018 #Buitems pic.twitter.com/8jbwxDtaaY— Ali Hashmi (@Ali_Madeeh) May 8, 2018
Fine Arts at #QLF2018 #Quetta pic.twitter.com/NGcTnAl9eE
— salma jafar (@Chiltan) May 7, 2018
The place was an absolute book haven
book exhibition at buitems #QLF2018 #quetta, pic.twitter.com/F5o2VnKg4n
— salma jafar (@Chiltan) May 7, 2018
#Quetta literary Festival ❤ is going on in Buitems with full zeal.#Balochistan #Qlf2018 pic.twitter.com/qbR1k6jnA6
— Lifelines In Balochistan (@Lifelinesinbal1) May 7, 2018
Quetta Literary Festival has commenced in its full zeal. The idea is to introduce the contemporary literary, artistic & aesthetic dialogue to the culturally rich city of #Quetta#Balochistan #QuettaLiteraryFestival #QLF2018 #SettingBenchmarks #PromotingCulture #CulturalDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/iCQhFcqbuo
— Voice Of Balochistan (@VofBalochistan) May 7, 2018
The place was absolutely brimming with positivity
“Bomb blasts and target killings” – all you hear about Quetta. Thank you @QuettaLF for giving us something else, something that truly represents this beautiful valley. The first ever literary festival; #QLF2018 has begun.
PC: @serenahotels pic.twitter.com/WiLGqD3RAU
— Sikander Bizenjo (@sikanderbizenjo) May 7, 2018
There was come celebrity action
Students taking selfies with Ayub Khoso #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/6QMj3lsHSV
— Notjune Again (@NotjuneBee) May 7, 2018
The festival had something for everyone
Kids are here to make #QLF2018 even more colorful. Musharraf Ali Farooqi is narrating “Podna aur Podni” and “Joon Chatt Patt”. pic.twitter.com/d7F1taIXMB
— Masood (@mascud__) May 7, 2018
There was some mandatory Faiz discussion
Ali Hashmi, grandson of Faiz Ahmed Faiz, talks about contributions of Faiz Sahab. #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/A8Hq8pBDSV
— Masood (@mascud__) May 7, 2018
People were over the moon about the festival being held in Quetta despite security considerations.
Never thought arranging a litfest in Quetta was possible given the security considerations. But here we are. @QuettaLF #QLF2018
Kudos to the organizers.
Godspeed !— Rukhsar Aliya (@lib_evee) May 7, 2018
Then there were some excellent talks
Discussing feminism with some of the greats at the Quetta Literary Festival. @amarsindhu @QuettaLF #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/Iy8z4MW5ON
— Nida Kirmani (@nidkirm) May 7, 2018
The most awaited session : central and marginal arts.
Guests : Ayub khoso, Amanullah nasar, Shamaail tareen last but not the least @jamalshah56.
Sessions’Host: @mascud__ #QLF2018 #OrangeHall day 2. pic.twitter.com/VOAhGQqU1B— Haris Agha (@harispe2) May 8, 2018
We need to speak, find a way to do it. All those who think but ARE silent. There are organised lobbies and we know the biggest one: Azim Sajjad at #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/SgELfoRU07
— Mahim Maher (@Mahim_Maher) May 7, 2018
Oh and there were flowers, beautiful flowers!
Quetta roses at quetta literary festival #QLF2018 #Quetta pic.twitter.com/hy4kJWwEI5
— salma jafar (@Chiltan) May 7, 2018
It’d be unfair to say nothing about the shield presented to the speakers
Shield presented to guest speakers, too good #QlF2018 #Quetta pic.twitter.com/0fcYAvdpa7
— salma jafar (@Chiltan) May 7, 2018
Not to forget these incredibly talented Hazara kids
My favorite picture of the day. VC, BUITEMS, Ahmed Farooq Bazai (S.I), Musharraf Farooqi, Prof. Niazi, and Prof. Dr Nawaz with school students. Most of these kids are hazaras, they were incredibly talented. #QLF2018 pic.twitter.com/K4YFH24B7G
— Masood (@mascud__) May 7, 2018
Hazara children during a session #QLF2018 #Diversity pic.twitter.com/EFKYNLuDxG
— Haris Agha (@harispe2) May 7, 2018
Vice Chancellor BUITEMS Ahmad Farooq Bazai, who inaugurated the festival, said that the QLF is a venture that taps in the colossal wealth of life histories, dreams and aspirations emanating from this part of the world in all of their complexity.
QLF is the biggest book festival to have taken place in Balochistan as of yet, in which around 40 well known publishers are participating, with more than 100,000 books on history, science, technology, engineering, arts, social, economic issues, human society and civilization are being displayed.
