The miracles of modern technology have led humans to continue interacting with their peers through digital media and complete their tasks online. The digital world is now a full-fledged space that facilitates us to fulfill our daily and most important chores. The Oxford University Press (OUP) Pakistan, capitalized on using this technology to host their first-ever digital literature festival. The 7th edition of the Islamabad Literature Festival (ILF) began on October 23 and will continue till October 30. It is the first time that OUP has gone purely digital when hosting its literature festival. The inauguration session was held on October 23. The master of ceremonies was Neda Mulji, Senior Manager, Professional Development at Oxford University Press, Pakistan. Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press, Pakistan, during his welcome address said that ‘The virtual literature festival, like its face-to-face predecessors in Islamabad and Karachi, celebrate books and all other manifestations of the written and spoken word. It promotes creativity and the habit of reading. It aims to develop interaction between writers, intellectuals, artists within Pakistan and across borders, cultures and languages.’ The theme of ILF 2020 is Words in the Time of Lockdown. Speaking about the theme, Hussain said that as per the UNESCO, the year 2020 is the worst in the 21st century. He mentioned how a virus has disrupted economics, healthcare, and education systems worldwide. He rightfully said that the Covid-19 has reset our world to the new normal Arshad Saeed Husain, Managing Director, Oxford University Press, Pakistan, during his welcome address said that “The virtual literature festival, like its face-to-face predecessors in Islamabad and Karachi, celebrate books and all other manifestations of the written and spoken word. It promotes creativity and the habit of reading. It aims to develop interaction between writers, intellectuals, artists within Pakistan and across borders, cultures, and languages.” The theme of ILF 2020 is “Words in the Time of Lockdown.” Speaking about the theme, Mr. Hussain said that as per the UNESCO, the year 2020 is the worst in the 21st century. He mentioned how a virus has disrupted economics, healthcare, and education systems worldwide. He rightfully said that the Covid-19 has reset our world to the new normal. “The pandemic made it difficult to celebrate our festival of the word face-to-face but the festival is being celebrated anyhow.” He mentioned how the virus has affected the educational world. He talked about how virtual classrooms are aiding education to enter homes. An interesting session in this regard is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2020. It is titled “Virtual Classrooms: The Promise and the Reality.” The speakers include Faisal Mushtaq, A.H. Nayyar, Umar Saif, and Maliha Ahmed. The moderator is Maham Ali. Mr. Hussain touched upon the importance of the National Education Policy Framework that has identified four major challenges: out-of-school children, uniform education, providing quality education, and developing skills and promoting higher education. While talking about how Pakistan can develop its economy, Mr. Hussain said that our children must be inculcated with the ability to think, reason, understand, and apply. He said that the single national curriculum intends to align the emerging international trends in teaching, learning, and assessment. It facilities the development of analytical skills, critical thinking, and creativity. The virtual ILF 2020 will be spread over a week where the digital sessions will be held from 5 pm to 9 pm. More than 70 speakers from nine countries will be a part of this festival. Over 20 sessions of the ILF will comprise debates, discussions, talks, mushaira, poetry, book launches, and readings. During the inauguration, Ms. Zehra Nigah presented her views about the ILF and how the gleaming faces listening to the speakers are now hidden behind the camera. Her immaculate expression and delivery style attracted attention from the very first word she said. Her thoughts, as always, were profound as she gave references to her opinion by reciting the poetry of Allama Iqbal and others. Anwar Masood, a humorist requiring no introduction, in the session Ba Zaban e Khud, engaged the virtual audiences as he talked about poetry and shared verses. While speaking at the inauguration, Raheela Baqai, Marketing Director, Oxford University Press, said that the literati, book lovers, and readers were contacting OUP and requesting them to hold the ILF, if not on the ground but in any way possible. She said that the use of technology did enable them to hold the ILF in the digital format. She said that there is no comparison to having a festival on the ground, in its physical form. It is the fun, interaction, and the human touch that makes it memorable. On the first day of the ILF 2020, the book launch of Uzma Aslam Khan’s book, The Miraculous True History of Nomi Ali was held. It was moderated by Munazza Yaqoob and Sonia Irum. Later, Shahzad Sharjeel read passages from Chiragh Talay, a book by Mushtaq Ahmed Yusufi. Distinguished speakers scheduled to speak during the ILF 2020 include Adrian Husain, Afshan Shafi, Amjad Islam Amjad, Declan Walsh, Harris Khalique, Iftikhar Arif, Raza Rumi, Rumana Husain, Sana Munir, Taha Kehar, Tauseeq Haider, Usman T. Malik, Wajiha Hyder among others. While the ILF 2020 will be digital and the visitors will miss meeting with authors and writers, the digital edition nonetheless will connect the literati with authors and intellects from the comfort of their homes and offices. The writer is an independent researcher, author and columnist. He can be reached at omariftikhar@hotmail.com and Tweets at @omariftikhar