Oggi pomeriggio, 9 ottobre, nella Sala del Carroccio del Campidoglio (Roma) ci incontriamo alle 5.30 per parlare della letteratura di lingua urdu, presentando il lavoro di alcuni importanti autori pakistani.
La lingua dell'incontro sarà l'italiano, con qualche pezzo (forse) tradotto in inglese per cortesia verso il principale promotore dell'iniziativa, vale a dire l'ambasciata Pakistana a Roma.
Ricopio qui sotto il comunicato stampa con cui l'ambasciata presenta l'evento:
PAKISTAN LITERATURE DAY AT THE CAMPIDOGLIO
“A message of respect for diversity, tolerance and mutual understanding”
(Sala del Carroccio – 9 October, 5.30 – 8.30 PM)
The Embassy of Pakistan is pleased to announce the Pakistan Literature Day that will take place at the
Sala del Carroccio at the Campidoglio on 9 October at 5.30 PM
In cooperation with the publishing houses Fuorilinea and Jay Editore, and under the patronage of the
Department of Enterprise Government and Philosophy of Rome University Tor Vergata, the Pakistan Literature Day, promoted by Fabrizio Panecaldo, member of the Rome city council, will be devoted to Dr Muhammad Allama Iqbal, Saadat Hasan Manto and Parveen Shakir, three of the most prominent literary figures in Urdu, the widest spoken language in Pakistan and northern India, whose works have been translated into Italian.
Urdu, which evolved under Islamic influence in the 13th century, was the product of a complex ethnic and
linguistic environment of the northwest of the Subcontinent where it acquired the status of lingua franca.
Urdu, in fact, means “encampment”. It is the national language of Pakistan.
As with all linguistic koine, it is a language that due to its intrinsic nature enables and promotes
dialogue between cultures and fosters respect for tolerance, diversity and mutual
understanding – the best guarantees for peace and security.
Literature is a powerful instrument for rapprochement between different peoples and cultures, and
especially so when it originates from a region that continues to carry the burden of unresolved conflicts
from the past.
Professor Vito Salierno, a leading authority on modern Urdu literature with many Italian translations of
Urdu prose and poetry to his credit, will be one of the speakers.
The theme of literature as an instrument of peace and understanding will be further developed by
Mazhar ul Islam – whose work La Stagione dell’amore, delle mandorle amare e delle piogge
tarde will be presented at the event. Mazhar ul Islam, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan
Book Foundation, the government entity for the promotion of book culture and readership, will be
accompanied by Maria Concetta Cassata in representation of Centro per il libro e la lettura, the
book promotion centre of the Italian ministry of culture.
The event will be attended by H.E. Dr Tehmina Janjua, ambassador of Pakistan; Dr Mazhar ul Islam,
chairman of the Pakistan Book Foundation; Dr Maria Concetta Cassata of the Copyright Department of
the Ministry of Culture; Prof. Piero Vereni, teacher of anthropology at the Rome University Tor Vergata;
Dr. Ejaz Ahmed, cultural mediator; Gabriele Linari, actor.
The curators of the books Sabrina Lei, Abdul Latif Chalikandi and Franco I. Esposito-Soekardi will also be attending.