eople, Planet and Possibilities provided a meaningful backdrop for the 9th Islamabad Literature Festival.

This was the first time I was attending a literature festival. I had volunteered for what the OUP managing director called the Red Brigade, an extension of the OUP team tasked to assist the speakers, delegates, visitors and participants in making the most of the event. I interacted with academia, political leaders and the literati as well as journalists. For me, the key moment was escorting Hamid Mir through a backdoor to his car just in time to catch his flight without getting bogged down in the post-session public interaction. He recalled his cherished memory of driving around the legendary Habib Jalib.

Security was well managed. Adequate parking space was available for literature enthusiasts. It would be unfair not to mention the colourful rikshaws and buggies to shuttle participants from the parking to the club and back. People could scan ILF to navigate the 52 sessions over the 2.5 days, featuring 150 speakers.

The cherry on the top was the live streaming of all sessions. So, if somebody missed out on an event due to overlapping or could not attend physically, they could catch up without much ado.

In her inaugural address, Her Excellency Jean Marriott, the British high commissioner, emphasised the importance of storytelling, preservation of languages and bringing up children with a love for books.

Iftekhar Arif talked about the inhumane conditions in Palestine. He also reciting verses from some Palestinian poets. He highlighted the importance of Urdu as mother tongue and its position as the official language. Lao Toe Qatl Nama Mera, a classical dance performance by Zeshanné Malik, was a tribute to end the opening ceremony. Climate change was a major topic discussed on the first day. Tariq Alexander Qaiser documented the withering mangroves of Karachi.

Another highlight of the day was the art exhibition, The Day After, curated by the BNU.

The ILF celebrated literature written in local languages as well as in English. Omar Shahid Hamid, Taha Kehar, Muneeza Shamsie, Aroosa Kanwal and Safinah Danish Elahi were present to talk about their novels and to invite aspiring writers to embark on their creative journeys.

Festivals like this provide room for cultural expression, foster understanding and empathy, stimulate critical thought, mould cultural values and have the potential to spark social change.

At the book launch for Other Days by Arshad Waheed, Kishwar Naheed complimented the writer.

Beo Zafar and Khalid Anum hosted a laughter session. Beo’s spontaneous change of character comic presentation earned her a standing ovation.

At the launch of his latest novel, Jehan Aabad Ki Gallian, Asghar Nadeem Syed spoke at length about the leftist ideology.

There were several discussions on the human rights situation, foreign policy, democracy, judiciary and bureaucracy. An intriguing discussion on India, Pakistan and Bangladesh at 75, was led by Ishrat Hussain who highlighted the disconnect between the state and the people.

There were important talks on the evolution of Urdu fiction, preserving national languages, culture and traditions. The need to strengthen identities through poetic recitals, documentaries and films was stressed.

Amardeep Singh’s Legacy of Oneness, a documentary on Guru Nanak’s birth, journey, teachings and practices was greatly appreciated.

Some in the audience wondered why politics were being discussed at a literature festival.

Nonetheless, Asma Shirazi and Harris Khalique led a lively discussion.

Anwar Masood read some thought-provoking, introspective poetry.

A book launch for a title about the history of Islamabad city, left many questioning the justification for the grand launch. In contrast, Sajjad Azhar’s Rawal Raj offered a well-documented and insightful perspective.

The festival came to an end with Voices from the Foothills and Ustad Hamid Ali Khan’s sonorous ode to life. The festival had something to offer to all tastes. Many publishers put had up their stalls and there were activity corners for children. The volunteers and the OUP team worked tirelessly to ensure positive outcomes.

Many people-to-people interactions developed into intellectual intercourses.

An analogy between literature and human societies was explored.

Sherry Rehman gave an important reminder to discontinue and reject plastic water bottles and promote eco-tourism; to save the glaciers and save the world.

Festivals like this provide room for cultural expression, foster understanding and empathy, stimulate critical thought, mould cultural values and have the potential to spark social change. Let’s keep holding these.

The writer is an artist and poet. She is the author of Bhadoon