Ajoka theatre festival starts today

LAHORE:Ajoka’s much-anticipated Dosti International Theatre Festival kicks off Saturday (today).The nine-day festival is being held in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council and is supported by the Punjab government. Theatre groups from 11 countries are participating, with international artists starting to arrive tomorrow.

A group of 16 Indian actors, led by the eminent director Kewal Dhaliwal, will cross the Wagah border in the morning. The Swiss group will arrive in the afternoon, followed by the Al Limte group from the United States.

The opening ceremony on Saturday will feature a spectacular performance by the internationally acclaimed Wahab Shah Dance Company, presenting a dance on national integrity with a 40-member ensemble. Students from Sacred Heart School will also perform the Dosti theme song,

“Dosti Aisa Nata.” Additionally, a new Ajoka song and a documentary commemorating Ajoka’s 40th anniversary will be launched on this occasion.The second day of the festival will be dedicated to the people of Palestine. Renowned Pakistani artists will join American artists to pay tribute to the Palestinian people. The program will include a reading of Gaza Monologues, which presents testimonies of young residents of Gaza, read by Faryal Ali Gauhar, Hafeez Tahir, Ahmad Bilal, Aisha Bilal, Naseem Abbas, and Sufia Humayun. Esteemed American theatre activists Monica Hunken and Leah Bachar will also join in the tribute, marking the first time that American and Pakistani artists are united in honouring the people of Palestine from one platform.

The monologues will be followed by a performance from Laal Band, led by Dr. Taimur Rahman, with a dance tribute by renowned theatre artist and dancer Sheema Kermani. The program will conclude with sufiana kalam sung by Khawar Ali Qawal and his ensemble.

Throughout the festival, international theatre groups will present performances in Alhamra Hall 1, with daily folk cultural performances and a theatre exhibition in the hall foyer, featuring puppet shows, folk theatre, and bhand comedy.

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