Honoring Palestine: Art and Solidarity at Lahore’s Dosti Festival
On the second day of the ongoing Dosti International Theater Festival at the Alhamra Arts Council, the event was dedicated to Palestine, with Pakistani and American artists coming together to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people. The American theater artists’ monologue performances deeply moved the audience, bringing many to tears.
The day featured a range of programs, specifically dedicated to Palestine, with the “Gaza Monologues” performance particularly striking the audience emotionally.
Renowned Pakistani and American artists joined forces to honor the Palestinian people. The program included poignant readings from the Gaza Monologues, which shed light on the martyrdom of Gaza’s youth. Performances by Faryal Ali Gohar, Hafeez Tahir, Ahmed Bilal, Ayesha Bilal, Naseem Abbas, and Sophia Humayun left the audience visibly moved.
https://youtu.be/VrMggiRR4Iw?si=C5y-y9hl9XCvp2yQ
American theater artists Monica Henkin and Leah Bachar also paid a heartfelt tribute to the Palestinians. This marked the first collaboration between American and Pakistani artists on one platform to honor Palestine.
The event also featured a dance performance by Sheema Kermani, expressing solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians, while the popular band “Laal” captivated the audience with an exceptional performance of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poetry, which echoed throughout the hall.
The festival is currently being attended by theater groups from 11 countries, with 16 Indian artists traveling to Lahore especially for the event. Notable theater artists from the United States, Switzerland, and India continue to arrive. The second day’s program concluded with a soulful performance by Khawar Ali Qawwal and his party. Performances and cultural programs will continue at Alhamra until November 17.