ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The four-day annual National Book Festival which will start at Pak-China Friendship Center in Islamabad from Friday, aimed at promoting book reading culture among the citizens.
The festival is being arranged by National Book Foundation (NBF) under the title “Kitaboon Ki Duniya Salamat Rahey”.
President Mamnoon Hussain will formally inaugurate the National Book Festival through hoisting the Book flag. Prominent political leaders and other personalities will participate in the event.
Meanwhile, literary persons from across the Country have reached the Federal Capital to participate in festival.
The banners inscribed with pictures and names of prominent literary persons are displayed at different leading avenues of the Federal Capital to welcome the delegates.
The festival will bring a number of attractions for the book lovers including display of 130 book stalls, book reading sessions and colourful activities for the children.
Around 130 book stalls will be set up by 110 private publishers and NBF in the festival carrying books on diversified subjects including literature, science, technology, current affairs, history, philosophy, travelogue, religion etc. these books will be available on discounted rates.
Turkey, China and Iran will also participate in the festival this year which will add more attraction to the event.
The four-day festival will feature a number of activities including book fairs, book reading sessions, lucky book draw, book parade, book ambassadors conference, book launching ceremonies, Pakistani languages session, lectures and consultative sessions, quizzes and curricular and literary programmes.
Colourful activities for children including kids republic, gogi show, book colouring, tableaus, book stories session, art works and face painting are also part of the festival.
Food Bazar will be also set up during the festival to provide quality food to the guests. The visitors will be given gifts through lucky draw.
A Calligraphy Workshop will also be held during the festival to teach calligraphic skills to the students. Conferences and dialogues will be held on different topics including ‘Pak-China Corridor and Energy and Irrigation sector’, ‘Allama Iqbal and Modern Era’, ‘Life and Book, Drama’, ‘Quranic Teachings as Curriculum’, ‘Urdu Fiction and Contemporary Essence’.
The launching ceremonies of books including ‘Jo Surat Nazar Ai’ by Farooq Adil, Urdu Fiction titled ‘Naey Mubahis’ by Muhammad Hameed Shahid and ‘Kisi Aur Zamaney Ka Khawab’ by Zafarullah Khan.
As per directives of Prime Minister’s Advisor Irfan Siddiqui, a Complaint Cell will be established during the festival with presence of officials’ round-the-clock to resolve issues being faced by the visitors.
