The vibrant 10th Adab Festival kicked off at Habitt City in Karachi on Saturday, transforming the venue into a bustling hub of literature, cultural expression, and artistic heritage. The event successfully attracted writers, intellectuals, students, and book enthusiasts from across the city for a day filled with stimulating discussions and performances.
Grand Opening Ceremony Sets the Tone
The festival commenced with an official inauguration ceremony presided over by the esteemed Zehra Nigah, with Pomme Amina Gohar serving as the master of ceremonies. The event began on a patriotic note with the National Anthem performed by students from Roots Millennium School.
Adab Fest Founder and Director Ameena Saiyid OBE, along with Munis Abdullah, CEO of the IBL Group and venue partner, delivered the opening welcome remarks. A significant highlight was the announcement of the 2025 Infaq Foundation–Adab Festival Literary Awards, which will celebrate outstanding literary contributions in Sindhi, Urdu, and English from across Pakistan.
The ceremony was further enriched by insightful speeches from renowned figures Kishwar Naheed, Dr Ishrat Husain, and Shandana Minhas.
Memorial Tributes and Diverse Sessions
A deeply moving segment titled ‘Tum Yaad Aaye: In Memoriam (2020–2025)’ paid homage to late distinguished Pakistani intellectuals and artists. The tribute honored the legacies of Arfa Sayeda Zehra, Nuzhat Kidvai, Zubeida Mustafa, Aamer Aziz Saiyid, Khaled Ahmed, and many other luminaries who passed away in the last five years.
The memorial was accompanied by a poignant musical performance by Shayma Saiyid, who rendered Nayyara Noor’s version of Nasir Kazmi’s poetry, with Samreen Harrison providing accompaniment on the cello and violin.
Throughout the day, the festival unfolded with a rich array of simultaneous sessions that captivated attendees. These thought-provoking discussions covered a wide spectrum of subjects, including Urdu literature, progressive politics, cultural heritage, art, history, and education.
A Festival for All Ages
This year's Adab Festival placed a special emphasis on engaging younger audiences. A dedicated Children’s Literature Strand offered a packed schedule of activities, including a Book & Craft Fair, a talent show, and storytelling sessions by Yasmin Motasim.
Children were also delighted by Mehreen Kamran's puppet theatre, bookmaking sessions with Ameena Saiyid, and theatre activities led by Atif Badar. For teenagers, the ‘The Storymakers Studio’ creative writing workshop, conducted by Taha Kehar, proved to be exceptionally popular.
The festival is set to continue with its Day 2 programming on Sunday, November 23, 2025, promising another day of cultural enrichment and literary celebration at Habitt City in Karachi.
