The Karachi Literature Festival heads to London to celebrate Pakistan's 70th birthday

This just in: The KLF is en route London for the 8th annual Alchemy Festival!

The famous literature festival will take place at Southbank Centre on 20th May in celebration of Pakistan's 70th birthday, states KLF's website.

Mohammed Hanif will kickstart the event with unique insights into Pakistan’s history, hopes, and dilemmas. The extensive list of speakers includes designer Maheen Khan, writers Kamila Shamsie and H M Naqvi, PPP member Sherry Rehman, actor Nimra Bucha, among others.

Khumariyaan, Saif Samejo, lead vocalist and founder of the band The Sketches and Lahooti Melo will be performing at the festival.

This is the first time the KLF will be taking place outside of Pakistan.

Guests of the eleven-day Alchemy Festival are in for a treat as Abida Parveen and Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop are also set to perform at the event.

The Queen of Sufi music will entrance the audience with her soulful voice, while Lahore's infamous Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop will hold a puppet show. Both will be performing on 28th May.

The Alchemy Festival showcases the dynamic creativity and cultural connections between South Asia and the UK. It is the largest festival (outside of South Asia) that is inspired from South Asian culture.

The 11-day festival will start on 19 May.