PAL Launches Urdu Edition of Selected Russian Short Stories

ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) hosted a special ceremony on Tuesday to launch “Roos ki Muntakhib Kahanian,” an Urdu translation of selected Russian short stories, marking a meaningful step in strengthening cultural ties and literary exchange between Pakistan and Russia.

The event was presided over by renowned poet and scholar Iftikhar Arif, with Ambassador Albert Khorev of the Russian Federation serving as chief guest.

Chairperson of PAL, Dr. Najeeba Arif, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the importance of literary diplomacy in fostering cross-cultural understanding. She stressed that translations serve as vital bridges connecting readers across borders and proposed that an anthology of Pakistani short stories be translated into Russian with support from PAL’s counterpart institution in Russia.

Ambassador Khorev praised the initiative as a significant contribution to building mutual understanding between the two nations. He lauded the emotional richness and depth of Russian literature and acknowledged the work of Pakistani translators in making these stories accessible to Urdu readers. He also suggested establishing formal cooperation between PAL and Russian literary institutions.

In his presidential remarks, Iftikhar Arif spoke about the enduring influence of Russian fiction on Pakistani literature and highlighted historical literary connections between the two countries.

The Urdu translation was introduced by Dr. Mujahid Mirza, who shared insights from the translation process. Other distinguished speakers included Dr. Ludmila Vassilieva, a noted Russian scholar of Urdu literature, Dr. Asma Naveed, Zahid Kazmi, and Almas Haider Naqvi, all of whom explored the thematic depth, narrative style, and cultural resonance of the selected stories.

In his presidential speech, Iftikhar Arif highlighted the profound influence of Russian literature on generations of Pakistani writers. He called for greater cultural collaboration to foster intellectual growth and global understanding.

The event drew a large and diverse audience, including writers, academics, diplomats, and cultural figures, all of whom lauded the initiative as a key step toward promoting multilingual literature and strengthening Pakistan-Russia relations.

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