Endeavouring for peace in South Asia through literature

A literature festival is all set to bring artists from South Asia -- sans Pakistan -- together, aiming to endeavour for peace in the region.

The South Asian Literature Festival will be organised by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) from February 24 to February 26 at the India International Centre here.

The 30th edition of the festival will revolve around the themes of "Beyond Borders" and "Endeavouring for Peace and Tranquillity in the Region".

"We launched this initiative of cultural connectivity among the SAARC countries in 1987. It has been almost 30 years of continuous endeavour to join the hearts and minds of the people of eight SAARC countries through culture and literature," FOSWAL Founder and President Ajeet Cour told IANS.

FOSWAL is the only organisation in eight SAARC countries: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Afghanistan legally authorised to organize literature-related and cultural programmes under the SAARC banner and SAARC logo.

However, Pakistan will not be a part of the festival this year.

"The government didn't give us the permission to invite Pakistani writers to be a part of the 30th edition," Cour said.

Besides different cities in India, SAARC Festivals of Literature have previously been organised in Dhaka, Kathmandu, Lahore, Islamabad, Colombo, Kandy, Thimphu, and Male.

"This edition has attracted a large number of writers, poets and intellectuals of outstanding stature representing a greater part of South Asia. The number of delegates from each SAARC country has been on the increase year after year," Cour said.

The western among the SAARC countries, Afghanistan is being represented by 11 delegates; the eastern, Bangladesh is being represented by 25 delegates and in the north, Nepal is being represented by 20 delegates.

The total number of delegates, including those from India, is more than 150.

The festival is going to discuss "Voices Of Common Concerns", "Literature Against Extremism And Terrorism" and "New Voices In Literature" as its sub themes.

--IANS

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