LA HORE: The second and last day of the Children`s Literature Festival (CLF) took place on Wednesday, wrapping up amid children singing songs and participating in learning activities.

An extension of the festival will be held on Thursday, dedicated to teachers.

The Children Library Complex was decorated with colourful banners, and streamers, and each hall and room was utilized for the CLF sessions, activities and exercises.

Children said that they were delighted that such an event had been held for them.

`I loved the films that were being screened,` says Mumtaz, 12. It was her first experience to see a film in a cinema.

She was enthralled to see a kids` cartoon in Urdu, referringto `Allahyar and the Legend of Markhor`, which depicts the story of a young boy and his relationship with animals.

Saquib, 8, and Mehek 14, said that the story telling sessions were the best.

`They also taught us how to make books, which was a new thing,` Saquib said.

Parents also expressed their enthusiasm.

`We have nothing special that is held for children anymore, said Mohammad Amjad, father of two, a driver. His employer was taking his child to the festival, so Amjad also brought his two children. `When we were young there were circuses and festivals held for kids, but today these have disappeared and especially underprivileged people cannot take their children anywhere.

Here children from all walks of life have come.` One of the sessions by Science Fuse was allabout practical experiments.

The experiments that were carried out explained scientific terms, explanations, theories and hypotheses all through practical demonstrations.

Trainers dramatized some of the experiments and children responded well. At the end of the session, many of the kids remembered well what they had learnt from a short session.

`We want to instill a drive for curiosity and learning among children,` said Imama Owaisi.

Science Fuse holds classes at the Daftarkhwan as well. Poet Amjad Islam Amjad visited the CLF as a special guest and engaged with the kids on the importance of literature and creative writing. He also distributed pens as a souvenir to young writers and encouraged all the aspirants to use the power of pen to change the world.

There were also augmentedreality sessions, robotics, pottery making lessons by Sheherzade Alam, toy making, Kitabgari, Alif Laila Book Bus activities, theatre workshops, open mic sessions, Cinema Ghar, Dastan-Goi, puppet shows, book launches, science activities, STEM workshops and experiments and exhibition, panel discussions, history of coins by State Bank of Pakistan and many more activities organized for the children.

Moreover, there were insightful and thought provoking panel discussions on topics concerning children`s literature, heritage and child rights. There was also non-verbal storytelling through animations by Fauzia Minallah followed by a sing-along session with Khaled Anam, a puppet show by Rafi Peer and a theater workshop by Atif Badar.

On a more serious note there was a session on Child Protection `Hamari Hifazat Kaun KarayGa` and a theatre play on the same theme.

CLF Adviser Rumana Husain had a wonderful and interactive session on the history of Lahore and its heritage, creative writing. She launched a book named `The Winged One`.

There was Suno Kahani Meri Zubaani to promote Urdu literature while giving children valuable lessons on ethics. Iqbal Shah from Shaman family of Kailsah narrated Kailashi stories.

Faiz Ghar Auditorium had theater performances by Sanjan Nagar School, puppet show by Alif Laila, drum circle, theater performances by kids, theater competition by Khaled Anam.

The CLF also gave special tribute to Fehmida Riaz, the poetauthor who remained associated with the CLF since its inception in 2011 and wrote many beautiful books for children.

Mr Anam reiterated theneed for children to have their own space in the mainstream media, saying it could be 80 percent responsible for children`s education, as kids did not like to be sermonized, but taught through fun. Mr Anam has receieved special training regarding children`s theatre and is a member of the Gripp`s Theatre Berlin.

He said that it was globally a multi-billion dollar industry globally to investi in constructive learning through media for children, yet locally there seemed to be no interest in either having TV shows or radio spots for kids, or a separate channel.

`Children learn through music, images,` he said. `Course books are necessary evil, but media is what the child will end up learning from.

Mr Anam will also be taking up a session for teacher training to be held on Thursday.