The World Culture Festival, Pakistan’s first of its kind, kicked off in Karachi on September 26, 2024, featuring over 400 artists from 40 countries. Organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP), the month-long event aims to promote Pakistan’s cultural heritage and project a “peace-loving” image.
The opening ceremony showcased performances from artists representing Rwanda, Azerbaijan, South Africa, and Nepal. Pakistani sitar maestro Farhan Rais Khan and his troupe delivered a captivating performance, setting the tone for the diverse range of international acts scheduled throughout the festival.
ACP President Muhammad Ahmed Shah highlighted the event’s goal of showcasing Pakistan’s artistic talent to the world. “More than 300 musicians from Pakistan are participating in this festival,” he said. Shah expressed pride in the country’s cultural richness and emphasized the importance of altering global perceptions of Pakistan.
Notable performances included an Azerbaijan act featuring musicians Sahib Pashazade and Kamran Karimov, who played the Tar, a UNESCO-recognized instrument, and the Mugham, a traditional classical composition. Pashazade praised Pakistan’s hospitality, underscoring the significance of cultural exchanges in uniting nations.
The festival, which runs until October 30, will also feature artists from the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Palestine, Egypt, Bangladesh, China, Germany, and Sri Lanka.
Pakistani actor Noor ul Hassan, known for his role in the Pakistani-Turkish series Selahaddin Eyyubi, also attended, applauding the revival of cultural events in Karachi. He reminisced about the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop of the 1990s and expressed his hope that similar initiatives would expand nationwide, fostering cultural dialogue and collaboration.
