ISLAMABAD: One of the most anticipated literary events of the twin cities, the ‘Pakistan Mother Languages Literature Festival’ (PMLF), kicks off on Friday (today) in Islamabad and the Federal Minister Syed Jamal Shah will be the chief guest.

Organised by the Indus Cultural Forum (ICF) and co-hosted by the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), the festival brings together more than 120 writers, poets, artists, and language activists, as well as researchers from all over the country, representing more than 20 languages in Pakistan.

The inaugural ceremony of the festival will be held at 5 p.m. at the PNCA.

The first day features keynote speeches by imminent scholars and writers, followed by a tribute to recently passed-away legendary writers of Pakistan.

An enthralling line-up of music, dance performances, and the screening of a film are also part of the agenda on the first day.

The 9th consecutive festival offers an interesting insight into Pakistan’s linguistic and cultural diversity.

As per Unesco, Pakistan is home to more than 70 languages, of which over 25 face extinction.

The Unesco-led ‘International Decade of Indigenous Languages’ sits as the backdrop of the festival.

The festival is supported by Unesco Pakistan, the Forum for Language Initiatives (FLI), the Culture Department, the Government of Sindh, the Punjab Institute of Language, Art, and Culture (PILAC), the Sindhi Language Authority (SLA), the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL), the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and other eminent organisations.

Following two days, a number of attractions are part of the festival, including sessions on emerging 21st century trends in Pakistani mother languages literature, heritage conservation roles of writers and indigenous languages literature, sufi poets of Pakistani mother languages voices of resistance, colours of folk literature, and climate change and its impacts.

Over 80 new books will be launched, including a first-ever novel in Balti and two books comprising songs of indigenous sports in Pustho and Balochi.

The festival is free and open to all.

Besides, a lot of cultural attractions, including book stalls, food stalls, handicrafts, and others, will be part of the festivities.

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2024