Ref the news item 'Poets celebrate Lowari Tunnel' (18 Jan), I can think of few peoples nowadays who would celebrate a civic event--especially a tunnel opening--with a "poetry jam," as Americans would call it. It just seems so Chitrali. Of course, there was a poem read at Obama's inauguration yesterday, but it was just one and some people began to leave as it was read. They certainly didn't cheer with the enthusiasm that the Chitralis reportedly did. Chitralis seem to be rare in appreciating the joy, beauty, and bonding qualities of the poetic word.

 

Anita Christy,

NY,USA.