Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi to host World Culture Festival

Karachi, Aug 17,2024 — The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi has announced its ambitious “World Culture Festival Karachi,” set to launch on September 26 and run until October 30, 2024.

The announcement was made at a press conference held at Haseena Moin Hall, where key figures including President Muhammad Ahmed Shah, humorist Anwar Maqsood, actor and theater director Khalid Ahmed, Prof. Ejaz Ahmed Farooqi, and Qudsia Akbar addressed the media.

The festival promises to be a grand cultural event, featuring over 100 performances by more than 350 artists from around the globe. Confirmed participants represent 34 countries, with expectations that this number will rise to 40. Countries involved include Palestine, India, Turkey, UAE, USA, UK, Germany, Australia, Russia, Egypt, South Africa, Italy, Japan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Norway, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Ukraine, Oman, Qatar, Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan, France, Uganda, Belarus, Ireland, Kosovo, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, and others.

Muhammad Ahmed Shah elaborated on the festival’s scope, highlighting it as the largest cultural event ever organized by the Arts Council. The festival will showcase a diverse array of performances, including theater, music, dance, and fine arts, from both local and international artists. It will feature a blend of global music and dance forms, with workshops and discussions available to Arts Council students and the broader community through registration.

Shah noted that the festival marks a significant expansion from previous events like the Youth Festival, Pakistan Theater Festival, Music Festival, and Dance Festival, which led to the development of this comprehensive World Culture Festival. He also pointed out that international response and interest from embassies and artists led to the decision to scale up the event, surpassing the initial plan to host another Pakistan Theater Festival.

The festival will include performances of traditional Pakistani folk music, theater, and dance, with notable acts such as Akhtar Chanal, Wahab Bugti, Mai Dhai, and instrumentalists Abdullah and Faqir Zulfiqar. The event aims to offer a unique fusion of international music experiences not previously seen in Pakistan or Asia.

In addressing logistical aspects, Shah assured that the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has provided full support, including security arrangements. Despite ongoing visa issues with India, efforts are being made to include as many international artists as possible.

Anwar Maqsood praised Shah’s vision, drawing a parallel between this festival and the dreams of Allama Iqbal. He expressed hope that the festival will bring much-needed joy to the nation, noting the participation of groups from Jaipur and Mumbai as a positive development.

Theatrical director Khalid Ahmed commended the festival’s growth and its potential as a learning opportunity for students to engage with global perspectives. The event is set to be a landmark celebration of cultural diversity and artistic expression.