Karachi to celebrate literature as 15th KLF set to begin on Feb 16

The port city is set to start buzzing with literary discussions as the 15th Karachi Literature Festival (KLF), one of Pakistan's most anticipated cultural events, begins this week on February 16 (Friday) at the Beach Luxury Hotel.

This time around, the festive event for literature buffs promises to be a vibrant celebration of literature, art, and intellectual discourse.

KLF, this year, will take place under the theme of 'Sustainability: Words changing Mindsets,' and will feature over 200 local and international speakers representing eight countries.

The festival will see them participating in 75 different sessions covering a diverse range of topics including literature, economy, environment, education, and current affairs, while at least 25 books are also expected to be launched alongside engaging activities such as drama, satire, exhibitions, film screenings and various artistic expressions.

OUP Pakistan Managing Director Arshad Saeed Husain emphasised the festival's role as a global bridge connecting hearts and minds, and encouraged the guests to “participate in conversations that inspire change and challenge perspectives.”

"The idea is, not just to talk about these critical issues but to deliberate on finding solutions. I hope that is what the intellectuals, scholars, and thought leaders will engage in over these three days," he said.

Husain added that the festival is a testament to the power of the written word and the vital role it plays in shaping our communities.

KLF's inaugural day will be open to the public and will include keynote speeches by renowned figures including Pakistani architect and activist Arif Hasan, as well as British-Palestinian lawyer and writer Selma Dabbagh, followed by a performance on Faiz’s poetry by the talented Nighat Choudhry.

Over the weekend, the festival will host distinguished speakers including Jordanian academic Joseph Massad, political scientist Dr Martin Axmann, award-winning journalist Hasnain Kazim, acclaimed novelist and writer Mohsin Hamid, French journalist and novelist Kenize Mourad, fiction writer Claire Chambers, poets Michael Cirelli and Ronya Othman, poets Zehra Nigah and Kishwar Naheed, short story writer Noorul Huda Shah, and novelist Bina Shah among others.

There will be sessions on Urdu poetry, sustainability, political reforms, and a grand Mushaira presided over by Pakistani poet Iftikhar Arif.

KLF offerings will feature insightful discussions on books, ethical governance, urban dynamics, comedy, storytelling, human rights, and sustainability offering guests a rich tapestry of intellectual engagement.

The festival will close on February 18 (Sunday) with keynote speeches by eminent scholars Najeeba Arif and Joseph Massad and will honour KLF literary legends followed by a soul-stirring Sufi Qawwali performance by Qawwal Najmuddin Saifuddin and Brothers.