Rediscover Lahore through the eyes of LLF participants
The participants of the Lahore Literary Festival 2017 have been out and about the city and making us all fall in love with it all over again
February 26, 2017
LAHORE: The participants of the Lahore Literary Festival 2017 have been out and about the city and making us all fall in love with it all over again.
Scottish historian and writer William Dalrymple, British historian and author Alex von Tunzelmann, British radio and television presenter and journalist Anita Anand and Worcester College, Oxford senior research fellow and author Peter Frankopan have been documenting their experience of Lahore on Twitter, rejuvenating our fondness for the cultural capital of Pakistan.
Arrival in Lahore
Anand shared her journey of travelling from Karachi to Islamabad and later Lahore for the promotion of her new book, Kohinoor: The Story of World's Most Infamous Diamond, which has been co-authored by Dalrymple.
From Karachi to Islamabad to Lahore - the #Kohinoor tour rolls on... #llf with @DalrympleWill pic.twitter.com/pPVKhsYUvQ
— anita anand (@tweeter_anita) February 25, 2017
Frankopan also announced his arrival in the ‘glorious [and] lovely’ city through this tweet.
I am in glorious, lovely #Lahore pic.twitter.com/HbRko8tFJT
— Peter Frankopan (@peterfrankopan) February 24, 2017
Trip to the Androon
The Walled City of Lahore, or Androon Sheher (inner city), holds immense importance as it is imagined as a product of cultural nostalgia, reminiscent of the rich historical and cultural past of the city. It also houses many architectural and cultural marvels such as Wazir Khan Mosque and Shahi Hamam (Royal Baths).
Tunzelmann shared a view of the creative transport of the Walled City.
Decorative transport in the Walled City. pic.twitter.com/Oj1dr6tUJh
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
She also shared a picture of the ladies of the LLF posing at the Walled City.
Ladies of the Lahore Lit Fest at the House of Ill Repute outside the Walled City - pic by @DalrympleWill pic.twitter.com/bwdS5Vxedw
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
Shahi Hamam
Shahi Hamam, which can be reached through Delhi Gate of the Walled City, was built in 1630s by the Mughals. The heritage site has recently been restored.
Dalrymple shared a picture of the site and called it the “best new architectural restoration project… in South Asia.”
The Shahi Hamam, Old City of Lahore
— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) February 26, 2017
c1630
Best new architectural restoration project I've seen anywhere in South Asia pic.twitter.com/93AFkmoUVq
Tunzelmann was also full of praises for the site.
The Shahi Hammam stunningly restored - hugely improved from the last time I visited it a few years back! pic.twitter.com/qbS8cxP5dI
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
She also shared a picture of the artwork inside the hamam.
Angel in the Shahi Hammam. Though it might be holding a fish. Apparently a breadbasket. pic.twitter.com/orZKk2N9qc
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
Wazir Khan Mosque
The mosque, known for its unique and spectacular architecture, cast its majestic spell on the tourists leaving them in awe.
The Wazir Khan Masjid
— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) February 26, 2017
Lahore
Shah Jahan period- 1630s pic.twitter.com/Nd5EWamsOg
Impossible to capture the beauty of the Wazir Khan Mosque on a phone camera. I could look at the 100s of flower paintings for hours. pic.twitter.com/U8PJByMBGD
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
At one point, Tunzelmann accepted her photography skills were not nearly as amazing as those of Dalrymple
Ace photographer @DalrympleWill at work. His pics will be better than mine, so follow him! ;) pic.twitter.com/GkMADeaLgD
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
Lahore Fort
They also revisited the pages of history with a tour of the Lahore Fort.
Fabulous tour of Old Lahore today. This is from the fort. pic.twitter.com/QCOQQCklKW
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
The only shady spot on the grass. pic.twitter.com/fRl5m56uwm
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
Lahore Lit Fest delegates at the fort. pic.twitter.com/etf0dPRo45
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 26, 2017
Lahore Museum
The literati discovered some stunning artwork present at the Lahore Museum.
The Devi as Durga
— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) February 26, 2017
Basohli, c1700
Now in the Lahore Museum pic.twitter.com/AyG1xsZ02v
Lady Tempting Peacock
— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) February 26, 2017
Guler, First Generation after Nainsukh
1780
Now in the Lahore Museum pic.twitter.com/a2yBaUQOfH
Badshahi Mosque
Last but not the least, they also visit the New Food Street and posted pictures of the quintessential structure of Mughal era, Badshahi Mosque.
The great Badshahi Masjid, Lahore pic.twitter.com/mq3Lipzyzj
— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) February 26, 2017
Sorry. In real life it's a triumph of 17th century Mughal architecture & I've basically made it look like Blackpool. pic.twitter.com/ZF4fIBHIgY
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 25, 2017
Although, Tunzelmann did agree that taking pictures of the Badshahi Mosque at night can be quiet tricky (a struggle all of us know too well).
Hopeless trying to photograph the fabulous view of the Badshahi Mosque at night from the rooftop restaurant next door, but we all had a go. pic.twitter.com/a6CLYTKJDw
— Alex von Tunzelmann (@alexvtunzelmann) February 25, 2017
At last, a beautiful aerial view of Lahore to rekindle the happiness and warmth we feel in the city.
The sparkling lights of #Lahore from the skies above....#LLF2017 pic.twitter.com/fsnnZC2U13
— Peter Frankopan (@peterfrankopan) February 25, 2017
