Lyari Literature Festival '19

Lyari, known as the home for multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic communities is at the epicenter of the metropolitan city, Karachi. Lyari has been home for intellectuals, writers, poets, socio-political activist, artists, singers, actors, players and researchers, a town where different religions, multi-lingual groups have been living peacefully and contributing in the development of society. A decade back, Lyari observed a massive decline in Political, Art, Cultural, and Social activism due to prevailing violence extremism. In this situation, a new generation growing in Lyari where the suffocated environment of extremism affects the life and the mindset, the new generation takes support of literature, art, culture and education. 
Re-institutionalization of peace and harmony in a society is not possible escaping the ‘Literary culture’. 
Tools like art, cultural and literary activities can play a pivotal role in developing positive counter narratives especially in universities.
The Mehrdar Art and Production is initiating the first Lyari Literature Festival on the 21st and 22nd of September 2019, at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University to facilitate the process of peace promotion and
social harmony through art and literature. 
The Mehrdar Art and Production is a Karachi based Film
Production house established in 2013 specializing in positive socially motivated content. The 2-day Literature Festival will engage faculty and students of Lyari and other University and the festival will
feature cultural exhibits, art corners, food, book stalls, book launch, mushairay, reading corners, panel discussions, expert talks, workshops, and open house discussions in 03 other universities of Karachi. This festival in Lyari will provide an opportunity for the local writers, artists, and performers to have a platform
at their home to represent their work, which other Literature Festivals are unable to incorporate due to lack of inclusivity of Karachiites. However, these Literature Festivals are doing great work in their capacity and they have initiated a much-needed trend for the city.