The Lahore Biennale, Pakistan’s first international art biennale organized by the Lahore Biennale Foundation (LBF), returns with its fourth edition in 2025. As a non-profit platform championing visual experimentation and cultural dialogue, it celebrates Lahore’s historical legacy while addressing contemporary issues like identity, migration, and sustainability. Scheduled for late 2025 across iconic sites in Lahore, this edition builds on the momentum of LB03, which opened in October 2024.

Theme and Key Activities

The 2025 edition focuses on "Expanding Curatorial Proficiency" through the curatorial development program "The Thing Is," running from fall 2025 to spring 2026. This hybrid program, based in Lahore, offers technical and conceptual training for young Pakistani curators, with opportunities to collaborate on future biennales. Key highlights include:

Exhibitions and Installations:

Site-specific artworks by local and international artists, exploring Mughal heritage and modern urban issues.

Workshops and Residencies:

Sessions with artists like Farida Batool and collaborations with the British Council, emphasizing public art and urban conservation.

Publications and Discussions:

The release of Lahore Biennale 02 Reader (2025), reflecting on the cultural impact of past biennales.

Cultural Significance

Amid Pakistan’s political challenges, the Lahore Biennale positions the city as a global art hub, supporting diaspora artists and cross-country collaborations. With partners like the Bank of Punjab and the Punjab Walled Cities Authority, the event promotes sustainable tourism and civic dialogue, drawing thousands to reclaim the cultural narrative of this millennia-old city.