Delegates of Lahore Literary Festival hosted at the High Commission

The delegates of Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) were hosted over dinner at the Pakistan High Commission London on 27 October 2017. The one-day festival, marking the 70 years of Pakistan’s independence, was held at the British Library the next day.

Welcoming the delegates, H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, the High Commissioner felicitated Razi Ahmad, Founder of LLF and his entire team on putting together the second edition of the Festival in London.   He said:

“This is a commendable initiative that would not only showcase Pakistani literature, art and culture in the United Kingdom but would develop strong linkages between the literary circles of our two countries. The event is being held at the most opportune time when the overall environment for open public discourse in Pakistan is more enabling, thereby providing an opportunity to our great literary figures to contribute toward changing the perception of the country positively.”

The High Commissioner particularly, drew the attention of the delegates towards putting an enhanced focus of mainstreaming of the diaspora through the use of art, literature and media. He also shared with the audience the cultural outreach initiative of the High Commission in connection with Pakistan’s 70th Independence Anniversary throughout the year 2017. The finale of the celebrations, he added, would be installation of the Bust of the Quaid-i-Azam at the Lincoln’s Inn this year.

In his note of thanks, Razi Ahmad acknowledged the support of the High Commission and said he looks forward to working with the Mission in future.

On 28 October 2017, the High Commissioner attended the LLF at the British Library. Besides other delegates, he had a brief interaction with Malala Yousafzai who was on one of the interactive sessions of the LLF, moderated by famous writer Kamila Shamsie. The High Commissioner felicitated Malala on winning a place at the Oxford University.