The 8th Karachi Literature Festival #KhiLF

Karachi Literature festival (KLF) has always played a huge part in my life. The first KLF I ever attended was in college back in 2013 when I was supposed to attend KLF with the members of the editorial team of AKHSS (Aga Khan Higher Secondary School)'s magazine. My first encounter with KLF was hella amazing and not to mention one of the reasons that pushed me more into the literary world. Amazing things happened that one day of KLF, a little of which you can read in this veryyyy old blog post that I wrote right after KLF. http://thedigitalzarda.blogspot.com/2013/07/im-famous-in-my-la-la-land.html

After KLF of 2013, I was convinced that EVERY YEAR, KLF would be as rad as the one I attended. The life changing and inspiring experience gives the public a unique chance of having one-to-one interactions with Authors, Performers, and people from the intellectual social circles. 

This meet and greet festival not only enables reader and authors to blend as one to engage into relatable Q/A sessions, But Also is a treat for all the voracious readers who wants some time to buy hella good books at good discounts (courtesy of KLF). This year's KLF also included SEVERAL book launches and more than 70 sessions including encapsulating talks, panel discussions, readings, book launches, English and Urdu mushaira, stand-up comedy, author signings, performing arts, art exhibition, film screenings, art stands, book fair, literary awards, and a food court were lined up for the festival.

This year, the 8th #KhiLF that took place from 10-12 February 2017, at the Beach Luxury Hotel, started out with a spectacular performance by Asif Sinan, who is a musician with the speciality of bridging the East and the West through his musical innovations. His performances was initiated with a totally unconventional presentation of the national anthem that left the audience in awe of the versatile rendition as each note was struck through the guitar strings.

Following was another performance of cultural mashups and opening key notes from the co-founder of #KhiLF, Dr Asif Aslam Farrukhi, where he termed the festival as 'Mother of all Literature festivals' and the 'Basant Of Books', which in my opinion is very aptly put!

Karachi literature festival was joined by estimated 136 Pakistani and 40 international authors and speakers from ten countries are participated in the festival. But who's counting...

Mustansar Hussain Tarar and Ayesha Jalal were the keynote speakers at the inauguration.

 Among the many literary luminaries, academics, and intellectuals participating, both from Pakistan and abroad, some of the notable names are Adeel Hashmi, Afzal Ahmed Syed, Ali Akbar Natiq, Amar Jaleel, Ahmed Rashid, Arfa Sayeda Zehra, Arif Hasan, Asif Noorani, Arshad Mahmud, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Attiya Dawood, Ayesha Tammy Haq, Bina Shah, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Christina Oesterheld, Fahmida Riaz, H.M. Naqvi, Hamid Khan, Harris Khalique, Imdad Hussaini, Jamsheed Marker, Kishwar Naheed, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Masood Ashar, Mian Raza Rabbani, Mirza Waheed, Mujahid Barelvi, Nadeem F. Paracha, Nafisa Shah, Najmuddin Shaikh, Nasira Iqbal, Noor ul Huda Shah, Omar Shahid Hamid, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Roger Long, Sabyn Javeri, Salima Hashmi, Sania Saeed, Shabnam, Shazia Omar, Sheema Kermani, Shandana Minhas, Shrabani Basu, Taimur Rahman, Tina Sani, Zafar Hilaly, Victoria Schofield, Zehra Nigah, Zia Mohyeddin, and Zoe Viccaji.

A LOT of very important people made the #KhiLF special, and as said by Ms. Ameena Saiyid OBE, Managing Director, Oxford University Press (OUP), and Founder/Director, Karachi Literature Festival, and Co-founder, Children’s Literature Festival,

“The KLF is held to celebrate the rich, ancient, and diverse cultures and literatures of Pakistan so that they flourish, bloom and make an impact by becoming accessible to a wider public”.

The 3 days of KLF were in all honesty, very much appreciated by the lively people of Karachi who appreciate every chance of escape they could get in the chaotic city where love, harmony, and resilience prevails all the attempts of terror in the city.

Around 200,000 people attended KLF this year which was an achievement unlocked for the whole KLF team. In all, this year's KLF was legendary within and will continue to create space where cultural and intellectual energies gain release and knowledge, celebrate diversity, buy books and get into habitual reading and celebrating the love for art and the people of the world. To say the very least, I will continue to hate myself for not attending KLF this year, and will DEFINITELY attend all 3 days of KLF to gain from this beautiful festival. :')

Till I find the strength to make it till February 2018, this is me, signing off.

Digitally broken,

Wurduh Jaffri