Farmane-Ilahi

LAHORE (Imran Ali Raj) Ajoka’s much anticipated "Dosti International Theatre Festival" is set to kick off tomorrow (Nov 9).

The nine-day festival is being held in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council (LAC) under the auspices of the Government of Punjab.

Theatre groups from 11 countries are participating in the festival. Teams of international artists will start arriving tomorrow.

A group of 16 Indian actors, led by eminent Indian director Kewal Dhaliwal, will arrive in Lahore through the Wagah border crossing tomorrow morning.

A Swiss group will also arrive in Lahore in the afternoon, followed by al Limte group from the United States (US).

The opening ceremony on Saturday will include a spectacular performance by the internationally acclaimed Wahab Shah Dance Company that will perform a dance on national integrity with a 40-member ensemble.

On the first day, a singer from the Sacred Heart School will present Dosti theme song "dosti aisa nata."

A new Ajoka song and a new documentary marking Ajoka’s 40th anniversary will also be launched at the event.

The second day of the festival will be devoted to the people of Palestine. Renowned Pakistani artists will join American artists to pay tribute to the people of Palestine.

The programme will include reading of Gaza monologues and testimonies of the people of Gaza, read by Faryal Ali Gauhar, Hafeez Tahir, Ahmad Bilal, Aisha Bilal, Naseem Abbas, and Sufia Humayun.

Well-regarded American theatre activist Monica Hunken and Leah Bachar will join in the tribute. It will be the first time that American and Pakistani artists will pay tribute to the people of Palestine from one platform.

The monologues will be followed by a performance by the Laal Band, led by Dr Taimur Rahman. Famous theatre artist and dancer Sheema will perform a dance tribute.

The programme will end with 'sufiana kalam' sung by Khawar Ali Qawal.

There will also be theatre performances by international theatre groups in Alhamra Hall 1. There will also be daily folk cultural performances and a theatre exhibition in Hall Foyer, including a puppet show, folk theatre, and bhand comedy.

The visiting artists will also be holding training workshops and talks at various cultural institutions, including Government College, Lahore College for Women, Kinnairds, Punjab University, and the University of Central Punjab.