World Culture Festival celebrates global arts in Karachi

KARACHI: The 3rd World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 continued its celebrations with a diverse range of cultural activities on the sixth day of its 25-day programme. The event featured children’s theatre, musical activities, international film screenings, dance performances and a bilingual stage production, attracting audiences with its blend of artistic traditions and creative storytelling.

Organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, the festival brought together international artists and performers from different countries, offering visitors an opportunity to experience various forms of art and cultural expression.

The children’s entertainment programme began with a theatrical presentation of Little Red Riding Hood by Poland’s Miniatura City Theatre. The production was conceptualised, directed and designed by Chile-born artist David Zawalla, who presented a modern interpretation of the famous fairy tale.

Unlike the traditional version, the play introduced audiences to a futuristic world where the last human girl struggles to survive on a devastated Earth. Puppetry played an important role in bringing the story to life, creating an engaging theatrical experience for younger spectators.

Another children’s production, Gangster Hunting with Daisy Detective, was presented by Norway’s Erler Teaterkompani. The adventure-based play followed a detective named Daisy as she attempted to solve a mysterious case and track down a gangster. The production also encouraged children to become part of the investigation, making the performance more interactive and entertaining.

Music lovers also had an opportunity to explore their creative abilities through a special workshop titled Jam and Improvisation. The session was conducted by renowned Serbian guitarist and musician Aleksandar Lipovan, who introduced participants to musical improvisation and collaborative performance techniques.

The festival’s film screening programme highlighted Polish cinema through a special segment titled Polish Featurette. Four short films, including Blue Bird, Momo & Lulu, Dream Up the Title and The Town That Drove Away, were screened for audiences. The selection provided viewers with an opportunity to explore different storytelling styles and creative perspectives from Poland.

The evening programme continued with English Only, an Urdu-English theatre production directed by Awab Bin Farhat. Staged at 7 pm, the play explored the importance of learning English through a classroom setting in Karachi.

The story revolved around four students who shared a common ambition of becoming proficient in the English language. Through their experiences and interactions, the production highlighted the challenges and social realities associated with language learning.

Another major attraction of the sixth day was a special Spanish dance presentation titled Flamenco Blanco Flamenco, performed under the theme The Grace of Movement.

The performance introduced audiences to the traditional Spanish dance form of Flamenco, known for its passionate movements, rhythmic footwork and expressive gestures. The artists combined intricate hand movements, energetic steps and musical rhythms to create an engaging cultural presentation.

Their performance reflected the emotional intensity and artistic richness of Spanish traditions while highlighting the unique ability of dance to communicate feelings and stories without words.

The combination of children’s theatre, international cinema, musical learning opportunities and traditional dance made the sixth day a diverse cultural experience. The participating artists received enthusiastic applause from spectators, who appreciated their performances and creative contributions.

The ongoing festival continues to provide an international platform for artists to share their cultural heritage, exchange creative ideas and connect with audiences through different forms of performing and visual arts.