LAHORE : In a resplendent culmination of intellect, artistry, and collective memory, the final day of the 10th Faiz Festival transformed Alhamra Arts Council into a grand confluence of ideas, culture, and conscience, an embodiment of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s timeless vision of hope, resistance, and human dignity.
The concluding day stood not merely as the end of a festival but as a reaffirmation of Faiz’s enduring relevance in an ever-evolving world. Faiz Ahmed Faiz remained one of the most luminous voices of the twentieth century and his poetry was a rare synthesis of romance and revolution, tenderness and defiance.
The day opened with a graceful dance performance by a private school.
A series of intellectually rich sessions commenced simultaneously across venues. The book launch of Waiting in the Wings brought together Harris Khalique, Samina Rehman, and Salima Hashmi in a compelling literary exchange.
A distinguished book launch took place for featuring Khawaja Saad Rafique, Sohail Warraich, Wajahat Masood, Fawad Hassan Fawad, and Hammad Ghaznavi. Hall three presented Faiz and the Cultural Policy of Pakistan, where Asad Gillani, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, and Kabir Altaf examined the poet’s ideological and cultural influence, moderated by Amina Ali.
At Adbi Baithak, Ijaz ul Hassan’s poems were discussed by Prof Shaista Sonnu Sirajuddin, Asghar Nadeem Syed, and Prof. Zubair Ahmad, who offered deep reflections on poetic aesthetics. Another programme featured Zehra Nigah in conversation with Nasir Abbas Nayyar, a session that resonated profoundly with lovers of classical and contemporary verse.
Audience witnessed an engaging dialogue as Mahira Khan and Samina Peerzada conversed with Adeel Hashmi, drawing an enthusiastic and diverse audience.
A programme showcased a captivating dance performance by Adnan Jahangir, blending tradition with expressive movement. Faiz, Pakistan Times, and Imroze brought Majid Sheikh, Mazhar Abbas, and Nasir Zaidi into a discussion with Farah Zia, moderated by Harris Khalique, to revisit Faiz’s journalistic legacy. At Adbi Baithak, the launch of Secrets: Stories of Psychiatry from America and Pakistan featured Ali Madeeh Hashmi, Prof Dr Asghar Naqi, and Dr. Ain-ul-Momina in an illuminating conversation.
A function hosted the book launch of Who Knows the Bound of Desire, with Osama Siddique and Dr Faisal Bari engaging in a thoughtful exchange.
The sessions further enriched the festival’s intellectual depth. Iftikhar Arif, Zehra Nigah, and Qasim Jafri shared insights in a session moderated by Syed Shamon Hashmi. Reclaiming Lahore’s Living Traditions featured Azam Jamil, Kamran Lashari, and Salman Rashid, moderated by Amina Ali, celebrating the city’s cultural heritage.
Another programme hosted remembering Jasmeen Tahir, featuring Ali Tahir, Shaukat Thanvi, and Dr Hassan Farooqi in conversation, moderated by Muhammad Ali.
At Adbi Baithak, from the Beginning to Lahore’s Happening was launched with Ali Usman Qasmi and Majid Sheikh. It presented Momtaza Mehri in conversation with Prof Shaista Sonnu Sirajuddin and Ayesha Baruq, moderated by Mina Malik, offering nuanced perspectives on literature and identity.
It featured Simi Raheel and Danyal Raheal in a discussion moderated by Tauseeq Haider. A programme hosted a comparative literary session on Pablo Neruda, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Nazim Hikmet, and Mahmoud Darwish, featuring Harris Khalique and Ghazi Salahuddin in dialogue, moderated by Osama Siddique.
Hall 3’s Faiz and Ustaad Daman brought Sarwat Mohiuddin, Prof Zubair Ahmad, and Dr Jawaz Jafri together in conversation moderated by Sumera Khalil. A distinguished book launch featured Kishwar Naheed, Khawar Mumtaz, Sheeba Alam, and Nasir Abbas Nayyar.
Hall 4 hosted Sarah Hayat, Dr. Aziz Rab, Ali Habib, and Amna Mufti in conversation moderated by Gulzaib Waqas Awan.
It presented Naeem Bokhari in conversation with Adeel Hashmi, a session marked by candid reflections and engaged participation. It featured Cinema in Pre-Partition, with Ishtiaq Ahmed, Tahir Kamran, and Salima Hashmi in discussion moderated by Mira Hashmi, revisiting a formative era of cultural history.
Puppetry Workshop conducted by Yamina Peerzada, celebrating creative pedagogy and performance art.
Hall 1 brought together Mazhar Abbas and Mushahid Hussain in conversation moderated by Hamid Mir. It hosted Ain Adab Readings, and Adbi Baithak featured Documenting the Undocumented: A Life Spent in Lahore with Asad Hayee and Malcolm Hutcheson.
