AJOKA
INTERNATIONAL
THEATRE FESTIVAL
9-17
November 2024
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Ajoka Theatre, a renowned Pakistani theatre group, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the Ajoka International Theatre Festival (AITF). This festival aims to bring together international theatre companies and artists to share their experiences and promote social change through theatre. Ajoka is known for its innovative productions that address contemporary issues and contribute to the struggle for a just and egalitarian Pakistan. The festival will provide a platform for learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange, both locally and internationally.
The theme of دوستی or friendship for the AITF underscores the importance of human connection, cross-cultural exchange, and collaboration in fostering an equitable world. Theatre, as a powerful tool for connecting people on a deep emotional level, can foster bonds through shared stories and experiences. The festival's emphasis on international collaboration celebrates friendship between different cultures and nations. By choosing friendship as the theme, AITF aims to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that encourages dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among participants and audiences.
Programme
Venue: Alhamra Cultural Center
Outdoor Performances
We'll be treating you to a vibrant variety of outdoor activities that celebrate Pakistan's rich and varied cultural heritage. Get ready to laugh out loud with stand-up comedy acts, be mesmerized by drum circle, qawwali, traditional dances, immerse yourself in the soulful melodies of folk music, and groove to the latest pop culture hits!
Join us at the Alhamra lawns for these festivities!
 | Opening CeremonyAjoka, Pakistan - DARA Dara is Shahid Nadeem's internationally acclaimed play based on the dramatic story of of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and his elder brother Crown Prince Dara Shikoh. Dara, heir to the Peacock Thrown, was a Sufi, a poet and scholar of comparative religions, while Aurangzeb, was a religious fundamentalist and a Machiavellian leader. Dara lost the war of succession as well as life, condemned by religious court for false charges of blasphemy. Hailed as a tragedy of Shakespearan scale, the play depicts the conflict between Emperor Shah Jahan's family and between varying interpretations of Islam. Dara was produced by Ajoka in 2010 and later adapted by London's National Theatre in 2015. The play was declared as the best play of the decade by the British press. The play features live qawali singing of poetry by Dara, Sarmad, Bhagat Kabir and Amir Khusrau. | 5:00 PM6:00 PMSaturday 9 November, 2024 |
 | Arnold and Komarov Travelling Theatre, Switzerland- Shame On You Exploring shame unravels the intricate layers of class, race, religion, body, politics, desire, and the many unknown aspects that shape our lives. In 2018, the project began collecting stories of shame through artistic interventions and direct storytelling, creating an ever-growing archive. By December 2019, collaborators in Pakistan built “Sharmgah”, their version of SHAME-O-MAT, to gather people’s assorted memories of shame. Simultaneously, workshops were conducted. Sharmgah— "place of shame" in Urdu, a vernacular term for genitals—provoked debate and humor, reflecting the cultural nuances of shame. Stories were gathered through public installations in Lahore and performance art-based discussions in Islamabad. | 3:30 PMSunday 10 November, 2024 |
 | Tribute to the valiant people of Palestine -Gaza Monologues Eminent Pakistani artists will join artists from Al Limite, USA will join in spell-binding dramatic presentation of Gaza Monologues, written by Palestinian youth. The monologues will be in English, Urdu and Punjabi and include poems by Mehmoud Dervesh and Faiz. The programme will also include inspiring musical tribute by Lal Band, accompanied by Sheema Kermani’s dance performance. The programme will end with a stirring sufiana qawwali. The event is being held on the call of Palestinian theatre group, Ashtar. | 6:00 PMSunday 10 November, 2024 |
 | Folk Dance Medley The programme will showcase Pakistan’s rich culture through a dance medley including ancient dances such as Dharees and Jhoomar. | 6:00 PMMonday 11 November, 2024 |
 | Paolo Avataneo, Italy - "!" This whimsical tale is filled with colorful fantasy, unexpected twists, and nonsensical language. A mischievous elf torments a silent protagonist in a surreal pantomime. Despite the elf's playful harassment, a magical transformation occurs. The elf learns to speak fluently, even inventing new words and sounds. | 6:40 PMMonday 11 November, 2024 |
 | Tehrik-e-Niswan -Manto, Mera Dost The play is about Sa’adat Hasan Manto, as seen through the lens and writings of his dear friend,the famous feminist writer Ismat Chughtai. Beginning with the delightful first meeting of these two literary giants in the early 1940s in Bombay of pre-partition India, the play traces their asociation over the years until Manto’s untimely demise in Lahore.The play provides an insight into the enigmatic personality of Manto through the eyes and wordsof the dynamic Ismat Chughtai, revealing the wit, humour, love, despair, despondency andresistance of both the writers. Manto, Mera Dost was premierd in 2013 for the Karachi Literature Festival and later in the sameyear performed in USA, India and several cities of Pakistan. | 7:20 PMMonday 11 November, 2024 |
 | Manch Rangmanch, India - Mitti Na Hove Matreyee A Punjabi twist on Brecht's "Caucasian Chalk Circle," this Naqliye adaptation exposes a king's ruthless plan to destroy a village for a park. Amidst the chaos, a brave girl rescues the queen's abandoned baby. Years later, a legal battle erupts as the royal couple tries to reclaim their child. This folk-style drama explores themes of power, justice, and the enduring spirit of our heritage. | 6:00 PMTuesday 12 November, 2024 |
 | Al Límite, USA - Signals Al Límite Collective will empower young Pakistani women to create a powerful new production of "Signals". Through immersive workshops and collaborative storytelling, they'll explore global women's rights struggles and devise a locally-themed portion of the show. Audiences will journey through a landscape of resistance, oppression, and liberation, experiencing firsthand the stories of women-led movements from around the world. | 6:00 PMWednesday 13 November, 2024 |
 | Laxaman Cultural Community, Indonesia - Ark that Remains Silent A captivating theatrical performance unfolds through the medium of paper masks. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft's artistic exploration brings paper to life, as they cut, manipulate, and color it into extraordinary masks. These masks, animated by gestures and movements, weave a poetic narrative, inviting the audience on a sensory journey. Join us for a magical experience where paper and its characters come to life. | 7:15 PMWednesday 13 November, 2024 |
 | Manch Rangmanch, India - Maharaani Jindaan Maharani Jindan Kaur, a fearless Sikh queen, defies tradition to protect her son's kingdom. Her courage inspires Sikh soldiers to fight the British, but her influence is feared by the colonizers. Facing betrayal and adversity, she remains resolute. This historical drama explores power, loyalty, and the enduring bond between a mother and her son, highlighting the importance of standing up for beliefs and resilience. | 6:00 PMThursday 14 November, 2024 |
 | Panel Discussion International theatre practitioners will join a panel on “Theatre as Dosti” highlighting the role of theatre in building peace and solidarity. The panel will include experts from India, Spain, China, Iran and Pakistan. | 3:00 PMFriday 15 November, 2024 Hall - 3 |
 | Neamera Teatro, Spain/ Italy - Mr and Mrs Kraft: A Story of Paper Masks A captivating theatrical performance unfolds through the medium of paper masks. Mr and Mrs Kraft's artistic exploration brings paper to life, as they cut, manipulate, and color it into extraordinary masks. These masks, animated by gestures and movements, weave a poetic narrative, inviting the audience on a sensory journey. Join us for a magical experience where paper and its characters come to life. | 6:50 PMFriday 15 November, 2024 |
 | Child Exposure in Zambian Arts Trust (CHIEZA), Zambia - Global Warming World, Arise A captivating theatrical performance unfolds through the medium of paper masks. Mr. and Mrs. Kraft's artistic exploration brings paper to life, as they cut, manipulate, and color it into extraordinary masks. These masks, animated by gestures and movements, weave a poetic narrative, inviting the audience on a sensory journey. Join us for a magical experience where paper and its characters come to life. | 3:30 PMSaturday 16 November, 2024 |
 | Dareh Shikof, Iran - Nanemohi Fati, a young girl grieving her mother, endures a harsh life with her cruel stepmother and her father's frequent absences. One fateful day, a glimmer of hope appears in the form of Nene Mohi, a legendary creature. With Nene Mohi's guidance, Fati embarks on a transformative journey. From escaping her stepmother's tyranny to attending the ruler's extravagant party, Fati's life takes a dramatic turn. Will she find love, acceptance, and a new beginning as the ruler's bride? | 6:30 PMSaturday 16 November, 2024 |
 | The Company, India - Trunk Tales The performance follows the experience of a layman, chronicling the ‘otherness’ present in life, and exploring a way of expressing them. The stories are devised, yet acknowledge real events, family histories and personal experiences. This is a work of ‘fraction’ – a mixture of fact and fiction. To cry together, to laugh together and tell stories of hope, no matter how savage the situation may be. Episodes upon episodes explore the politics of water, the politics of the body, and the politics of food. Closing Ceremony. | 5:30 PMSunday 17 November, 2024 7:00 PM |
