LAHORE: The three-day 4th Unique Drama Festival featuring themes of tolerance, peace and harmony began at Alhamra Art Centre on Wednesday in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council.

Some 30 or so schools are participating in the festival organised by the Punjab government.

All participating schools are from the private sector. Head of the festival Naeem Niazi told Dawn the government schools were contacted and sent reminders for participation but in vain.

PunjabEducationMinister Rana Mashhood`s wife Farhat Mashhood inaugurated the festival.

The Alhamra Hall was jam packed with students, their parents and friends at the inaugural day of the festival.

Every day, 16 performances will be staged eight in Hall 1 and as many in Hall 2.

The audience, mostly consisting of the youth, was extremely excited to see plays by different schools. They enjoyed some of the plays, such as`Sub se pehlay Pakistan` and `Kab jago gey (a musical production)`, `Dhoop mein barish`, and `Rastay ka pathar` The festival is also a drama competition. The first position holder will be be given Rs20,000, shields and certificates, and Rs15,000 and Rs10,000 for second and third position holders -SHOAIB AHMED