The British Council supported a vibrant collaboration between the Faiz Foundation Trust and the Bradford Literature Festival to co-curate a special Faiz Festival programme as part of the BLF 2025 edition.
The partnership brought the spirit and legacy of the celebrated Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz to UK audiences, in a festival renowned for championing diverse voices and narratives. As part of this collaboration, three bespoke sessions honoured Faiz’s life, work and enduring relevance, showcasing his literary influence across poetry, music and visual arts.
James Hampson, Country Director of the British Council Pakistan, said: “We’re proud to provide an opportunity for people to hear more about Faiz Ahmed Faiz. New collaborations, building on old connections between the UK and Pakistan, will showcase our shared cultural heritage. Introducing established and new talent from Pakistan to British audiences is important to us, and we’re pleased to be supporting Bradford 2025 – UK City of Culture.”
Moneeza Hashmi, Media Expert and Faiz Foundation Trustee, said: “My father, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, has always been a poet beyond borders, speaking to the hearts of people across cultures and nations. Now, through the Faiz Foundation, we’re taking his legacy across the world, sharing his poetry and ideals with broader audiences. It’s a privilege to be part of this journey and I’m thrilled to see his words continue to inspire and unite people globally.
The sessions included:
An evening with acclaimed actors and Faiz’s grandchildren Adeel and Mira Hashmi, interweaving dramatic readings of Faiz’s work with live ghazal performances by the versatile singer Priti Kaur.
A conversation between noted curator and artist Salima Hashmi, broadcaster Moneeza Hashmi, and academic Prof. Saeed Khan, exploring how Faiz’s poetry has inspired visual art across generations.
A panel discussion on poetic resistance and solidarity across borders, connecting Faiz’s legacy with that of Neruda, Darwish, Qabbani and Preti Taneja, through shared themes of justice, dignity and human resilience. In addition to the Faiz Festival sessions, audiences were also treated to a Qawwali performance by Najmuddin-Saifuddin Qawwal, masters of the devotional Sufi tradition.
The collaboration is part of the wider arts programming for Bradford 2025 – UK City of Culture, where the British Council is supporting groundbreaking new work by Pakistani artist Meherunnisa Asad, whose installation for Wild Uplands is already drawing attention across national UK media.
Through these initiatives, the British Council continues its commitment to bringing artists and audiences together from Pakistan and the UK to share and exchange creative ideas, fostering mutual understanding and showcasing the richness of contemporary Pakistani culture on the world stage.