Karachi: World Culture Festival was inaugurated by Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori. President Arts Council Karachi Ahmed Shah welcomed him.

Diplomats from various countries, including Sri Lanka, Turkey and Oman attended festival.  Tessori said there is no precedent for such world culture festival in Pakistan’s history. He expressed his honour in being invited by Shah and extended warm welcome to artists coming from 40 countries. 

He emphasised that culture and heritage are pride of every nation and despite facing numerous challenges and economic crisis, only resilient nations can overcome them.  He added that only “Ahmed Shah could spread joy on gloomy faces of people and he deserves appreciation because he provides platforms to artists. Credit for reviving cultural festival goes to Karachi and for 35 days, Pakistan’s positive image will be seen worldwide”. “Sindh government has played significant role in organising this festival and today marks day of pride,” he added. He expressed optimism that good times have arrived and Pakistani artists will continue to bring honour to country internationally.  He congratulated Shah and Sindh government for successfully organising “World Culture Festival, Karachi”.  Shah, stated that “Purpose of World Culture Festival, Karachi is to connect cultures and artists of not only Pakistan but also of entire world”.

He said that they “Want to present Pakistan’s 5,000-year-old rich civilisation to world”.  He refuted label of terrorism associated with Pakistan, emphasising that “They are people full of love and warmth, inheritors of three ancient civilisations-Taxila, Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro”.  He expressed his pride in Pakistan’s culture and said “Organising festival was not just his effort alone, but result of collective hard work of governing body members, executive director and every team member”. “We do not seek competition with anyone; our goal is to promote culture, which can counter terrorism, he added.  He shared that Ukraine, Palestine, USA, Germany and India will participate in festival, highlighting that there is “No political agenda and every artist-regardless of language, ethnicity, or colour will be performing”.  “Several universities are involved, ensuring younger generation stays connected with us. Joint international song produced by Pakistan, South Africa and Nepal was also presented as demo, with plans to include 20 more countries in festival next November,” Shah added. 

Provincial Minister of Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah stated that “Ahmed Shah has turned his words into reality, as international artists are indeed present today at arts council”.  “Negative perception of terrorism in Pakistan is incorrect and World Culture Festival Karachi will present soft image of Pakistan to world”, Zulfiqar added.  He said that music and art are universal languages of love and other provinces should also host similar cultural programmes.  He appreciated Sindh government’s support for Arts Council Pakistan Karachi and praised efforts of Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah.  “World Culture Festival Karachi” will feature over 100 cultural performances and more than 450 artists, including Pakistani and international theatre, music and dance groups, as well as fine art exhibitions. 

Artists from countries such as Palestine, Turkey, India, UAE, US, UK, Germany, China, Australia, Russia, Egypt, Iraq, South Africa, Italy, Japan, 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 will be performing.  Festival will also include Qawwali, classical dance, performances by Akhtar Chanal, Wahab Bugti, Mai Dhai, instrumentalist Abdullah, Faqeer Zulfiqar and traditional instruments like Sarangi and flute, enhancing festival’s grandeur.  Notable international artists such as Sahib Pashazade, Kamran Karimov, Peace Jules from Rwanda, Le Dia, and Gasasira Rugamba Serge will perform, along with Madan Gopal from Nepal, Wahab Shah Dance Company, Farhan Raees Khan, Ahsan Bari, Arman Rahim and Mustafa Baloch, adding wide variety of musical performances.

  Mani Chao received applause for his rendition of ‘Peer Di Jugni’, and Mumtaz Afzal captivated audience with classical and folk performances on banjo.