The Shakespeare Centre was transformed into a palace of cultural delight on Wednesday evening (9th Nov), as the Trust joined forces with the Pakistan Consulate in Birmingham and Iqbal Academy to host a celebration in honour of two literary greats - William Shakespeare and Dr. Sir Allama Mohammad Iqbal; the renowned poet-philosopher of the East who is regarded as a founding father of modern day Pakistan.
The collaboration was a great opportunity to reach out to and connect with other communities in the region through Shakespeare's legacy and the works of his literary counterparts. The evening of music and poetry performance was attended by leading figures and the wider community from both literary traditions, including the Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, His Excellency Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan Consul General Birmingham Mr. Maroof Syed and Mr. Makhdoom Chishti, Chair of the Sufi Trust.
It was a very festive and colourful event full of song, traditional Pakistani live music performed by the talented Dhanak Music Group, sonnets and poems, speeches and even a spot of impromptu dancing from one of the guests! The audience were fully engaged and entertained, and children and adults filled the Queen Elizabeth Hall with life and heart.
I'd like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication to making this event the huge success that it was.