About the 15th Karachi Literature Festival
The three-day Karachi Literature Festival (KLF) will be held from 16th to 18th February at the Beach Luxury Hotel.
In keeping with our tradition of exploring the major trends of the times, the Theme of this year’s KLF is Sustainability: Words changing Mindsets. Discussants will throw light on the critical issues of the day that face this city, this country, and this world and seek ways forward. It is not intended to dwell on disorder, violence, and calamities, but to understand them and seek durable remedies. And, of course, there will be sessions on the developments and trends in Pakistani and world literature, in the media and the world of entertainment, in education and scholarship, in the life of the mind and in daily life.
As always, KLF 2024, like the ones before, aims to encourage thought-provoking discussions providing an environment of openness, pluralism, and intellectual discourse.
There will be over 76 sessions, including 25 book launches with a mix of both Urdu and English. All sessions will be broadcast live around the world on OUP’s social media channels. Visitors and the online audience will also have the chance to enjoy Poetry readings, feature films, and a series of short independent film screenings. KLF also celebrates the diversity of languages and cultures across the country by highlighting writings in Sindhi, Balochi, Punjab, and Pashto languages.
A total of 7 literary awards for Pakistani authors will be announced at the opening ceremony. These awards are supported by Getz Pharma Pvt. Ltd. and the Little Book Company.
We are excited to once again bring together a diverse group of writers, thinkers, and literary enthusiasts from Pakistan and around the world to share their stories, ideas, and perspectives. This Festival is a testament to the power of the written word and the vital role it plays in shaping our communities.
The organizers of the 15th KLF are excited to welcome visitors and look forward to the stimularing days of enlightening experience and memorable moments.
As before, KLF also looks forward to the pormise of Tomorrow. It seeks to explore new writings, new trends, and new technologies, and provide a platform for emerging authors and writers.
See you at Beach Luxury Hotel on the 16th, 17th, and 18th of February. No need to register… just turn up!
Over the years, the guest speakers have been outstanding, including, but not limited to, keynote speakers of the status of:
Late Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Karen Armstrong, William Dalrymple, Intizar Husain, Nadeem Aslam, Kamila Shamsie, Rajmohan Gandhi, Raza Ali Abidi, Nayantara Sahgal Zehra Nigah, Late Fahmida Riaz, Pervez Hoodbhoy, Arfa Sayeda Zehra, Ziauddin Sardar, Mustansar Hussain Tarar, Ayesha Jalal, Bobby Sager, Mohammed Hanif, Francis Robinson, Noorul Huda Shah, Anwar Maqsood, Amit Chaudhuri, Mani Shankar Aiyar, Deborah Baker, Late I.A. Rehman, Ishrat Husain,
Zehra Nigah, Muneeza Shamsie, William Dalrymple, Zaheda Hina, Ahdaf Soueif, Harris Khalique, Late Zia Mohyeddin, Victoria Schofield, Hanif Kureshi, Sardar Masood Khan, Dr. Arif Alvi,
President of Pakistan, Sherry Rehman, Shehan Karunatilaka and Ahmed Rashid.
