Print

    'Come, Let's Dream Together' - Inaugural Session

    Written by: Madiha Shekhani
    Posted on: November 30, 2015 |

    (l-r) Taimur Rehman, Jibran Nasir, Samina Baig and Zar Aslam

    The Khayaal Creative Network was founded in 2012 by a team of four dynamic women, Ayesha Hussain, Amina Omer, Zainab Qureshi and Nuria Rafique-Iqbal. Sharing a dream of bringing people together under the shadow of Pakistan's rich cultural heritage, they organized the first Khayaal Festival in 2013, which welcomed iconic figures such as Kishwar Naheed, Haseena Moin, Mohsin Hamid, and numerous others. Lahore's heartening response to this festival gave the network the thrust to transform it into an annual event. The Khayaal Festival 2015 was the second festival hosted by the network in Lahore, which commenced on the 28th of November at the Alhamra Arts Council with the theme, ‘Pushing Boundaries’.

    A large Lahore crowd eagerly awaited the commencement of the festival that brings together an abundance of talent from all across the country. Co-founder Amina Omer welcomed the audience, explaining how Lahore served as the perfect venue for this event, as it has traditionally been home to dreamers and thinkers such as Jalib, Manto and Faiz, and is currently in the midst of a cultural revival. “The journey of Khayaal was begun by them, and is continuing in their city". Omer added that Khayaal is all about allying people from different walks of life and making them feel included, which was why the festival was bilingual and open to all.

    The festival jumped to a rousing start with Taimur Rehman's keynote address. Academic, musician and activist, he began with a set of harrowing statistics by the UN depicting how Pakistan, at the hands of terrorism, has lost an amount equal to what is needed to alleviate world poverty. Stunning the audience to silence, he discussed how the country is plagued by violence, not due to a poverty of resources, but rather “the poverty of thought, the absence of imagination, the impoverishment of culture, and the poverty of our philosophy”, which in turn contributes to terrorism. He reiterated that such festivals are needed to counter this issue. Rehman ended his invigorating address by singing a few verses by Habib Jalib, and hoping for the dawn of a new world of artists, musicians and free thinkers.

    Khayaal Festival 2015: Inaugural Session

    Next, lawyer and political activist Jibran Nasir was welcomed on stage. Addressing the audience in Urdu, Nasir ignited a sense of recognition and pride in them. Many were brought to tears when he discussed the contributions of visionaries such as Sabeen Mahmud, who lost their lives in the quest to push boundaries, and those such as Mukhtaran Mai who refused to back down in the face of adversity. His impelling speech left a lasting impact on the crowd.

    The stage was then taken over by an array of awe-inspiring women. Samina Baig, when told that women cannot be all that men are, scaled the highest peak in the world to prove them wrong. Being the first female to plant Pakistan's flag on Mt. Everest, as well as on seven of the highest peaks in seven continents, Baig continues to inspire. Zar Aslam, founder of the 'Pink Rickshaw Scheme' which seeks to facilitate female rickshaw drivers, was also present. With little external support for her brilliant initiative, Aslam bravely funded the project herself. Empowering women to break social and cultural barriers, Aslam trains impoverished yet resilient women to become entrepreneurs. Lastly, the stage was graced by Horeya Asmat, the first female dhol player in the country. Her riveting performance garnered a well-deserved standing ovation and brought an uplifting end to a truly inspirational session.

    Horeya Asmat, Pakistan's first female Sufi dhol player

    Horeya Asmat (centre), Pakistan's first female Sufi dhol player

    These speakers were an embodiment of the dreamers who dare to push boundaries and think differently. A kaleidoscope of art, music, literature, film, dance, and current affairs, the Khayaal Festival epitomizes the ongoing cultural revival in the city of Lahore. One of the first traveling festivals in the country, it moves forward with the aim of bringing people from different socioeconomic backgrounds under one roof. This concept of unity in diversity is essential for the nourishment of our society. In the words of Amina Omer, “Aiyay, mil kar khwab dekhtay hain” (Come, let’s dream together).

    Horeya Asmat's dhol performance


    RELATED ARTICLES:

    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021