Lahore, February 13, 2025: The 9th Faiz Festival is set to begin tomorrow, celebrating poetry, literature, music, and performing arts from February 14 to 16 at the Lahore Arts Council (Alhamra). Organized by the Faiz Ghar Foundation, the festival honors Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s artistic legacy while promoting cultural unity and dialogue.
The event will open with an art exhibition, “Tum Apni Karni Kar Guzro,” setting the stage for three days of over 50 sessions featuring literary discussions, poetry recitations, book launches, musical concerts, and theatrical performances.
Festival highlights
- Tributes & Literary Sessions: A special session on Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry will feature Zehra Nigah, Iftikhar Arif, and Dr. Saif Mahmood. A tribute to Bapsi Sidhwa will celebrate her contributions to South Asian literature.
- Cultural Dialogue: Moneeza Hashmi will engage in a conversation with Indian actress and filmmaker Nandita Das in “Tum Jo Chaho Tou Suno.”
- Panel Discussions: Sessions on topics like Palestine’s struggle (Arz-e-Palestine Ka Ilm), Urdu’s evolution (Urdu Hai Jis Ka Naam), and population challenges (Barhti Abadi, Simatti Dharti) will explore pressing socio-cultural issues.
- Women’s Empowerment: “Hum Dharti Ki Malikain Hain” will celebrate the achievements of women across various fields.
- Music & Performance: Shafqat Amanat Ali and Sara Raza Khan will perform, alongside theatrical plays, open-mic poetry, and traditional dhol drumming.
Executive Director of Alhamra, Syed Tauqeer Haider Kazmi, described the festival as “a profound celebration of art, culture, and intellectual discourse that inspires change and fosters unity.”
With its vibrant program and thought-provoking themes, the Faiz Festival 2025 reaffirms Lahore’s status as Pakistan’s cultural capital, drawing intellectuals, artists, and enthusiasts from across the country and beyond.
