World Culture Festival to bring artists from 150 countries to Karachi

Karachi is set to host the third edition of the World Culture Festival bringing together more than 1,000 international artists and over 500 Pakistani performers during a 25-day cultural event.

Karachi is set to host the third edition of the World Culture Festival bringing together more than 1,000 international artists and over 500 Pakistani performers during a 25-day cultural event.

Organised jointly by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and the Sindh government the festival will take place from October 29 to November 22. Artists and cultural representatives from around 150 countries are expected to participate.

Arts Council President Ahmed Shah said the festival aims to use culture as a means of connecting people promoting peace and strengthening Pakistan’s cultural identity. He said international participation has grown significantly since the event was launched with 43 countries attending the first edition and 144 participating in the second.

This year’s programme will include artists from six continents with participants from countries including the United States, Iran, Iraq, Palestine and nations across Latin America. Two Palestinian theatre groups are also scheduled to participate.

The festival will feature a wide range of art forms, including theatre, music, dance, film and folk arts. Pakistani performers from Sindh, Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Kashmir and the Seraiki region will share the stage with international artists.

Organisers also plan collaborative performances between Pakistani and foreign artists. Traditional Sindhi instruments such as the algoza and borindo will receive special attention, while a dedicated Mehran Night and the Shah Latif Voices Festival will highlight Sindh’s cultural heritage.

Authorities are also developing an “Art Village” around the Arts Council area with improvements planned for roads, lighting, seating, food facilities and pedestrian access.

Officials said security traffic management and arrangements for international delegations were also being coordinated with relevant federal and provincial departments.

Around 80% of the festival’s programmes will be free although advance registration will be required. Tickets will be sold for six to eight major concerts.

Officials said the event is intended to promote cultural exchange, tolerance and peace while presenting a positive image of Pakistan to international visitors.