Summary Sharmila Tagore crossed Wagah-Attari border on foot to attend the festival
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Fourth annual literary festival, shortened to two days only, has kicked off in a local hotel, Dunya News reported Saturday.
The festival was supposed to carry on for three days however, it was contracted owing to security concerns.
Moreover, the venue of the festival was also changed. Lahore Literary Festival (LLF) was supposed to be held at Alhamra Arts Complex on the Mall however, it was shifted to a local hotel.
Facebook page of the festival cited Punjab government’s recommendation reason behind cancellation of all sessions on February 19. As many as 24 sessions were scheduled on the first day of LLF.
Earlier on Tuesday, district administration had revoked No Objection Certificate (NOC) given to the LLF organisers. However, speakers and the arrangers had resisted its likely cancellation.
Veteran Hindi film actor Sharmila Tagore is the star attraction of the event. She had crossed Wagah-Attari border on foot on February 17 to participate in the festival. Tagore will address a session named ‘Safar’ over her career in Indian films that spanned over five decades.
Sharmila Tagore in conversation with Hameed Haroon at the Lahore Literary Festival 2016
Other Indian celebrities that are participating in the literary festival are Mahesh Bhatt and daughter Pooja Bhatt.
Other notable Indians who will be speaking at the festival include historian B.N. Goswamy, films studies expert Ranjani Mazumdar, novelist Sonia Faleiro, historian Tanika Sarkar, journalist Karan Thapar, documentary film-maker Shohini Ghosh.
It should be mentioned here that veteran Naseeruddin Shah has been attending the event for the past four years however, this time he was told to stay back due to security concerns.
