For the second year in a row, Optimize Digital proudly served as the Official Coverage Partner for the 10th Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF) 2024. Organized by Oxford University Press Pakistan, with Gold Sponsorship from Getz Pharma and NEO Paints, this collaboration marks our third successful partnership with Oxford University Press
This year’s ILF focused on the transformative theme, “Sustainability: Words Change Mindsets.” Held at the Gandhara Heritage, Culture, and Convention Centre in F-9 Park, Islamabad, the festival brought together some of the most esteemed voices in literature, culture, and policy to explore the unifying potential of words and their impact on social change.
The opening day of the festival featured keynote speeches by influential figures such as British High Commissioner H.E. Jane Marriott, diplomat Maleeha Lodhi, and Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Pakistan. These speakers emphasized how literature can drive awareness and action on pressing environmental and social issues.Arshad Saeed, in particular, highlighted the role of literature in fostering progressive and equitable societies, while Marriott spoke on the role of literature in bridging cultural divides.
The second day featured over 50 intellectually stimulating sessions covering a wide range of topics, including economic growth, cultural heritage, and the preservation of regional literature, with a focus on Urdu and Pushto’s evolving relevance in the modern world. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE, along with other prominent speakers, engaged attendees in lively discussions on sustainability and cultural unity, touching on the broader implications of social responsibility and literary expression. The day also included a powerful Capital Talk session where policymakers, including renowned journalists Hamid Mir and Meher Bukhari, explored challenges in Pakistan’s media landscape and the balance between free speech and censorship.
Optimize Digital’s team ensured that the highlights of these discussions reached audiences beyond the festival, managing digital PR, capturing testimonials, and bringing vibrant event moments to life through video and social media.
On the final day, ILF brought together poets, artists, and authors to reflect on literature’s role in shaping perspectives. The Urdu and Punjabi Mushaira session stood out as a platform where poets shared powerful works that resonated deeply with the audience, celebrating Pakistan’s linguistic heritage. In a memorable close to the festival, the Sufi Music Night captivated attendees, underscoring ILF’s dedication to fostering cultural dialogue through music and art.
Throughout the festival, Optimize Digital was honored to interview some of Pakistan’s most notable literary figures, gather their insights on the future of literature, and showcase the voices that make ILF a leading cultural event. Our work as the official media partner, from capturing the essence of each session to documenting testimonials from key attendees, underscored ILF’s powerful message of unity and sustainability.
Being part of ILF’s 10th Edition allowed us not only to witness but also to share the festival’s vision of a world where words inspire positive change.
Leave a Reply