By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized grand press conference for the upcoming “World Culture Festival Karachi” at Haseena Moin Hall. The event featured prominent personalities such as renowned intellectual and satirist Anwar Maqsood, President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah, Sindh Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, and Secretary Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Ejaz Farooqi. International cultural groups from Nepal and Kosovo were also present.
President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Muhammad Ahmed Shah stated that the “World Culture Festival Karachi” will begin on September 26, 2024 with the inaugural ceremony led by the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah. The 35-day festival will continue at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi until October 30, 2024.
Shah further mentioned that various international groups will conduct workshops with students from Karachi University and other universities. The festival will feature 40 theater performances, 55 music performances, 50 dance performances, 20 workshops, 10 talks, and 5 fine art exhibitions along with the traditions folk from Gilgit, Kashmir, Punjab, KP, Balochistan, and Sindh. “We are the inheritors of three civilizations, and the festival will include theater performances in Urdu, Sindhi, English, and various other languages,” Shah added. He aslo said that the Chief Secretary of Sindh has assured full cooperation for the event. Shah also revealed that 40 countries will participate in the festival, including Palestine, Türkiye, India, the UAE, the USA, the UK, Germany, China, Australia, Russia, Egypt, Iraq, South Africa, Italy, Japan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Norway, Brazil, Spain, Belgium, Ukraine, Oman, Qatar, Malta, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, Scotland, Hungary, France, Uganda, Belarus, Ireland, Kosovo, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Algeria, and Switzerland.
Speaking about the festival, Shah said it will feature over 100 cultural performances, with more than 450 artists from Pakistan and around the world. Along with performances in theater, music, and dance, there will also be fine arts exhibitions. The festival will also showcase qawwali, classical dance, and performances by renowned artists like Akhtar Chanal, Wahab Bugti, Mai Dhai, instrumentalist Abdullah, Faqir Zulfiqar, and traditional instruments such as sarangi and flute.
Renowned satirist Anwar Maqsood added that you know what’s happening in Islamabad, Balochistan, and Punjab. Sindh is the only province where a cultural festival is being held. At a time when people are leaving the country, it’s wonderful to see 40 countries coming to Karachi. This is a testament to Sindh’s hard work and love.
The gathering of so many countries in Karachi will create a spectacle that the world will witness.” Provincial Minister for Culture, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, noted that in a time of self-interest, this festival will showcase Pakistan’s positive image. “Our relationship with foreign countries is going to strengthen further. The Sindh government is fully supporting the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi,” he added. He said that Anwar Maqsood’s vision, realized by Ahmed Shah, will indeed come true, as the festival will be broadcast worldwide through the media. Shah also organized a literary festival at BUITEMS University in Quetta, which has brought change throughout Balochistan.
The Sindh government is ensuring all security measures for the event, and the Arts Council has full government support. Secretary Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Ejaz Farooqi remarked, “A festival of this magnitude has never been held in Pakistan before. We are grateful to President Muhammad Ahmed Shah for taking such a significant step to showcase Pakistan’s positive cultural image to the world through this festival. It is important to note that tickets for the World Culture Festival Karachi can be easily obtained from the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and Ticketwala.
