Two-day Khayaal Festival featuring prominent figures ends in Lahore

According to a press release by Khayaal Creative Network, Khayaal Festival 2015 explored a diversity of topics including but not limited to, talks on Punjabi poetry, women writers and writing, Pakistani literature over the years, art and the concept of boundaries, Afghanistan and the challenges of Central Asia, revisiting the new world order, the topics of exile and asylum in today’s world, the post revival of Pakistani cinema, art in public spaces and Lahore’s drastically evolving socio-cultural landscape.

The core theme for the Khayaal Festival 2015 was Pushing the Boundaries, a theme which was reflected in all sessions and performances. The lineup included diverse and foreign speakers, drawing on literature, poetry, film, drama, language, documentary, art, music and current affairs, the release read.

Opening speeches were made by Taimur Rehman, Jibran Nasir, Samina Baig, Zar Aslam and a performance by the first female Pakistani dhol player Horeya Asmat.

The panel discussion featured Nandita Das, Sarmad Khoosat, Sara Kazmi, Mushtaq Sufi, Dr Farrukh Khan, Nayyar Ali Dada,Imrana Tiwana Maryam Hussain, Aisha Amir, Asif Farukhi, Shehla Sanwal, Sabir Nazar, Kashif Baloch, Andrew Small, Hina Rabbani Khar, Vladimir Boyoko,Ejaz Haider, Wajahat Malik, Quddus Mirza, Abdullah Qureshi, Risham Hosain Syed, Aziz Sohail, Mehvash Amin, Noor ul Huda Shah, Dr Fatima Hassan, Aamer Hussein, Qudsia Rahim, Farida Batool, Ayesha Jatoi, Atif Khan, Naazish Ataullah, Zeba Sattar, Haris Gazdar, Dr. Ali Cheema, Lubna Dajani, Afiya Shehrbano, Ayesha Siddiqa, Haroon Khalid, Atta Ul Haq Qasmi, Mina Keshavarz, Mina Malik Hussain, Tahira Syed, Zohaib Kazi, Rakae Jamil, Anum Zakaria, Mrs Sonu Rehman, Jami, Adnan Sarwar, Farjad Nabi, Marvi Sirmid, Musharaf Ali Farooqi, Naeem Ahmed, Muhammad Nasir and Nuria Rafique Iqbal.

The event concluded with a musical performance by Khumariyaan.