LAHORE: The 32nd annual Faiz Amn Mela marked the 112th birthday of revolutionary poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz on Sunday. The event is an intellectual treat, with participants not only delving in the Faiz’s poetry but also reflect on the social political and economic issues.
Faiz Mela is celebrated every year . Journalists, poets, intellectuals, writers, farmers, and progressive political and social circles pay homage to the legendary poet.
The Musical performances
Renowned artists from across the country presented musical performances, poetry, theatre, and classical dances in the event. The literary and cultural event continued from 1pm to 9pm.
Mohan Bhagat, Hadiya Hashmi, Anjum Shirazi, Tarannam Naz, Adeel Barki, Imran Ali Shaukat, Samson Salamat, Inayat Abid, Nasir Khan, Faheem Mazhar and Ali Mohsin were among the performers.
Sheema Kirmani with her 10-member entourage performed a classic based on Faiz’s life. The participants highly lauded the gracing performance.
Poetry Sessions
The poets included Afkar Alvi, Baba Najmi, Hussain Majroh, Safia Hayat, Dr Khalid Javed Jan, Munawwar Sultana, Afzal Sahir, Fatima Ghazal, Dr Saadat Saeed, Rakhshanda Naveed, Akhtar Munir, Tahira Habib Jalib, Arshad Manzoor, Irfan Comrade, Sabir Ali Sabir,
Reflections on Current Political Economy
Ahmed Rafay Alam, Dr Ammar Ali Jan, Imtiaz Alam, and Khurshid Ahmed expressed their views on current issues.
Rafay Alam deliberated on environmental challenges. He said the global temperature is continuously increasing due to the use of fossil fuels. Ammar Ali Jan lamented the country’s harsh economic woes engulfing the poor.
The Buggy March
Earlier the organizers of the Faiz Amn Mela took out a buggy march ahead of the festival, on Thursday.
The with posters, panflexes and loudspeaker added decorative flair to the horse-driven buggy, escorted by youths. The buggy started its journey from Shimla Pahari in the afternoon and went to Gowalmandi Chowk through Abbot Road, Lakshmi Chowk and Nisbet Road where All-Pakistan Workers Confederation general secretary Khursheed Ahmed welcomed the participants in front of Labour Bakhtiar Hall. From Gowalmandi, the marchers left for Saffanwala Chowk on Temple Road through GPO, AG Office, and Mozang Adda.
The marchers distributed the leaflets among the passers-by along the way. It was like an invite for the Mela being. Mela was set to be held at Cosmo Club, Lawrence Garden, on Feb 12.
