Reading Room
Nestled under the pier at Bagh Ibne Qasim, the PAWPE Reading Room offered a stimulating retreat. Designed as a space for reflection and quiet connection, it invited visitors to pause, explore literature, and immerse themselves in the narratives shared by some of Pakistan’s esteemed writers, publishers, and editors.
The Reading Room hosted two sessions, each weaving memory, and identity with storytelling.
The first session, held on October 28th, featured Attiya Dawood, Qamar Bana, and Tapu Javeri, who guided the audience through Karachi’s layered history and architecture. Attiya’s evocative words brought to life her struggle as a poet in Karachi. Qamar shared heartfelt reflections on Karachi’s ever-changing rhythms. Tapu’s photography unveiled the city’s soul, capturing the intricate details hidden within its facades. Together, they painted a vivid picture of a Karachi both familiar and reimagined, blending personal recollections with shared memories from the audience.
On November 1st, the second session brought new perspectives on art and literature with Mehvash Amin and Muneeza Shamsie. Mehvash, Lahore-based poet and publisher of The Aleph Review shared poignant excerpts from her work, reflecting on the complexities of life in Pakistan. Muneeza, a celebrated literary critic, traced the evolution of South Asian literature and its global significance, offering profound insights into how stories shape identity through time.
A session with young poets selected via an Open Call was held in collaboration with Crows and Ink’d. Their verses offered a lens to see the city through the experience of the youth. For two weeks the PAWPE Reading Room became a quiet yet impactful heartbeat—a place where art and literature intertwined seamlessly. Visitors didn’t merely read; they engaged with Karachi’s essence, finding moments of introspection.
Another part of the reading room was a space where children could browse through books and engage in block printing and other art activities. As young and older readers visitors lingered there, the Reading Room became a collective space, rooting its audience in the moment.
