Matrix Report
In its 6th iteration, the Islamabad Literary Festival (ILF) looks to make an impact in Islamabad with the theme “Focus on Tomorrow – Reflections from the Past”. The Literary Festival wishes to better the future through the recollection of the past. Events that have been vital to defining the course of history for the Indo-Pak region will be major agendas during the course of the festival. Events such as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, and the history of languages and poetry will be discussed.
Other than recollecting, or reminiscing about other parts of our history, the ILF will heavily focus upon the languages of different regions of Pakistan, where these languages and the literature and poetry associated with them will be featured. According to one of the organizers, sessions on the Hindko language will be featured, and following a session on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa poetry with a book launch on the theme, as well.
Several renowned journalists, authors, media personalities and politicians will join the sessions as moderators and speakers, discussing key aspects of the literature industry, and historical events. The organizers also revealed that a session on the Kashmir crisis will feature during the festival.
The organizers feel that the festival is not as big as the one in Karachi, although it can be attributed to the population gap both cities have. Even though that is the case, the festival has 4 parallel sessions this year, instead of 3. The sessions have meaningful agendas, and have been fully advertised on social media. Despite this, they also feel as if social media coverage through the youth itself will be a huge contributor to the festival’s success. The support of the traditional media outlets is also a key contributor to helping the popularity of Islamabad Literary Festival. Here’s to hoping that we succeed in helping this event grow, and it is seamlessly executed, and increased love for literature, through the rise in book loving.
