The seventh 3-day annual Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) 2019 came to an end at the Alhamra Arts Center here on Sunday. About 160 delegates from Pakistan and abroad participated in 75 sessions over three days It is worth mentioning that LLF is a celebratory exploration of Pakistan's literary arts. The festival features artists, writers, and opinion leaders from across the world in thoughtful discussions on a variety of topics Founded by Razi Ahmed in 2012, LLF aims to reclaim Lahore's cultural significance and influence.
The three-day event commenced on Friday with a keynote address on the life and legacy of Faiz Ahmed Faiz by acclaimed Urdu poet Zehra Nigah. The first day featured five parallel sessions, from 5 to 6 p.m., covering a diverse array of topics such as the future of global democracy to Pakistan's water concerns, a celebration of Urdu poetry, Pakistan's digital archives project and two book launches.
The participants for the first day included historian Ayesha Jalal, journalist and author Ahmed Rashid, technocrat and former lawmaker Shamsul Mulk, water and law policy expert Erum Sattar, Alexander John Malik, the former Bishop of Lahore, and many more. The second day featured five hour-long parallel sessions throughout the day. It celebrated regional languages alongside sessions in Urdu and English.
The third and final day of LLF 2019 featured book launches by Sarvat Hasin, Kamin Mohammadi, Zarrar Said, Omar Khan, Shadab Zeesht Hashmi, Aisha Farooqui, Ayesha Baqir, Lalage Snow, Tahmina Aziz Ayub, Isambard Wilkinson, Ayesha Khan, Maheen Usmani, and Harris Khalique. It included sessions on Pakistani drama serial Chaand Gharain, with actor and producer Sarmad Khoosat.