ISLAMABAD: Indus Cultural Forum (ICF) in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) and other partners is arranging 6th edition of the Pakistan Mother Languages Literature Festival on Sunday, 21st February 2021.
Pakistan Mother Languages Literature Festival (MLLF) is a flagship activity of ICF initiated in 2016.
Over the years, MLLF has become one of the most anticipated events of the Federal Capital. Each year the festival is arranged to coincide with International Mother Language Day of the UNESCO which falls on 21st February.
“This year’s festival will be limited to one day as compared to its tradition of 2-3 days due to prevailing situation of COVID-19, however we have come up with an exciting agenda which focuses on the themes of creative and scientific response to COVID-19 situation, recognition and celebration of lifetime achievements of prominent legends of the Pakistani languages and advancing discourse on future of languages and measures which should be taken to preserve, protect and promote the languages of Pakistan”, said Munawar Hassan, Chairperson of Indus Cultural Forum in his curtain raiser statement.
Director General Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Dr Fouzia Saeed in her statement said that promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity of Pakistan is an important cause which highlights the cultural potential of Pakistan to the world. “All necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) will be followed strictly and we request our guests to wear the masks and maintain social distance while participating in the event” she added.
“Our wider audience will be able to enjoy the festival via livestreaming on ICF and PNCA’s social media platforms”, She maintained.
The festival is being arranged with the support of Department of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities of Government of Sindh, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Economic Cooperation Organization Science Foundation, Pakistan Science Foundation, Society for Alternative Media and Research and other organizations.
In addition to literary sessions folk and sufi music, dance, science fun exhibition and painting exhibition are also included in the important attractions of the festival. Festival will start at 1030 in the morning at the main auditorium of PNCA and will continue till late evening with various attractions.
Pakistan is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual country with its linguistic diversity carrying the rich traditions of music, literature, poetry and other forms of arts. According to UNESCO, Pakistan has six major and 57 minor languages.
According to UNESCO’s world atlas of endangered languages as many as 27 languages of Pakistan are facing different levels of vulnerabilities. There is no patronization of these languages and they risk the extinction in near future. There is lack of common platforms and avenues where rich heritage and tradition of these languages is cheered and celebrated.
Indus Cultural Forum (ICF) is a group of volunteers. It believes in promoting and celebrating Pakistan’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Read more: “Celebrating Music of Pakistan”
