Muneeza Shamsie

Writer, critic and literary journalist

“In pandemic times, I have enjoyed the discovery of online access to literary events across the world, but I realise that to actually participate in a physical event in one’s homeland, was so much more stimulating and exciting. It was good to meet up with fellow authors and panellists again. In each session, the interaction between the audience and panellists was lively, personal and stimulating. There was such a rich choice of options and disciplines including literature, music, dance and film – plus the incomparable joy of browsing bookstalls and discovering books.”

Haroon Khalid Akhtar

Author and banker

“What do festivals and old people have in common in recent times? Well, it’s the struggle to prevent the soul from escaping. Covid-19 came down hard on both. The virus put both on the ventilator. In the case of festivals, the ventilator was the virtual version that the organisers insisted were festivals. False! Festivals only happen when people willingly or unwillingly bump into one another, both literally and figuratively. The more the former type of bumping, the greater the success is. This year, after recovering from Covid-19, the KLF was off the ventilator and came bouncing back. The jostling was back as were the book talks, signings and, above all, the book stalls. In a society where books face extinction, the KLF provided assurance that the news of the demise of literature in this port city is a bit exaggerated. As the festivities return in full swing, my only plea to the organisers is to spare us the politicians.”

Safinah Danish Elahi

Novelist and publisher

“KLF ’22 was a delightful experience. From the production, coordination, arrangement and the selection of panellists and moderators, it was all wonderfully orchestrated. Part of the reason why Karachiites immersed themselves in the experience of the KLF is that we have been starved of physical events that ignite our minds; most of them have just been filling the stomach. I participated as a panellist and was also awed by the prominent names that attended the session. I was fortunate to meet so many literary personalities and attend many sessions. That Little America by Zain Saeed – a book that I had published – won the KLF Fiction Prize, was the icing on the cake.”

Fatima Ijaz

Poet and teacher

“This year’s KLF was very special for me as I got to talk about my book, The Shade of Longing and Other Poems, in a session about new writers, moderated by the brilliant Bina Shah. Not just that, I was also selected to read poems from my book in Salman Tarik Kureshi’s poetry recital session. The KLF has provided a platform for my voice to be heard. It felt great to meet and connect with publishers, fellow writers and thinkers. KLF 2022 was very ‘happening’ and I hope there will be other such opportunities for writers and poets to showcase and discuss their work.”