“In December 2010, it was decided by a group of dedicated literature enthusiasts that the work of Faiz Ahmed Faiz would be remembered all through 2011 to commemorate his 100th birth anniversary,” says Abbas Husain, member of the Faiz Centennial Committee.

The celebrations started on December 26, 2010, at the Arts Council in Karachi. Zia Mohyedduin performed a fantastic reading of letters Faiz wrote to his wife, Alys, while he was in jail. Full of musings, poetry and remembrances of days past, the letters were full of nostalgia for elder Faiz mavens. Then on January 4, 2011, a small celebration was held at Kal Qadir Khan in Punjab, the birthplace of Faiz. It was the initiation of a series of events planned throughout the year. The secretary of the centennial committee, Rahat Saeed, has said that there has been a positive nationwide response about the Faiz Centennial Celebrations with numerous organising committees in the four provinces. And the celebrations are not limited to Pakistan, but will take place all over the globe. One such recent event were the Faiz centennial celebrations held on February 12 at the Twelve Arts Gallery in Philadelphia, U.S.A.

In the last four months, small events have been taking place throughout the country. On February 14, Sabeen Mahmud of The Second Floor organised a special event for remembering Faiz with performances by those under 30. It was a full house with people occupying every inch of space. Interpretive dances to Faiz’s poetry were performed. Faiz: Poet in Troubled Times, a documentary made by British-Pakistani film director Faris Kermani was also screened. The documentary was an excellent portrayal of the life and times of the great poet with footage from his birthplace and the educational institutions he attended.

In March, the National Repertory of Performing Arts (NAPA) and the Karachi Press Club also held events to remember Faiz. Music students from NAPA performed the ghazals of Faiz with poetry readings and choreographed dance moves. At the Press Club, admirers of Faiz’s work and those who knew him recalled their memories and impressions of the great man. The director of the advertising agency Manhattan International, Zafar-ullah Poshni, was a young man when he was imprisoned with Faiz. Much of the poetry recently published in a new volume of Faiz’s work was heard by Poshni live and firsthand while in prison. He said that his days in jail were bearable due to Faiz’s smiling visage and the wit that accompanies old age.

On Sunday April 17, a day-long event, organised by the Citizens for Democracy (CFD) and the Faiz Centennial Committee will be held. The event will comprise plays, poetry readings, discussions and performances by Strings, Shehzad Roy, Laal, Ali Azmat and Fuzon. “It is through citizen philanthropy that this event has been made possible,” says Husain. “We approached multi-national companies for sponsorships but were rejected. Through the donations of people who wish to remain anonymous, the Jashn-e-Faiz has become a reality.”

To participate, make note of the event details below and sign up at the CFD website. Security will be tight and pre-registration is required.

The Facts:

What: Jashn-e-Faiz: a day-long celebration and tribute to Faiz Ahmed Faiz for his centenary.
When: Sunday 17 April 2011
11am — 12 midnight
Where: KMC Sports Centre, Kashmir Road, Karachi

For more information, please see the CFD blog.