KARACHI: The 25-day World Culture Festival Karachi 2026, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, officially launched on 29 October, with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah inaugurating the international celebration.
Addressing a press conference prior to the World Culture Festival opening ceremony, Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah and Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah outlined the festival’s vision alongside visiting international performers.
Promoting Peace and Diversity
Muhammad Ahmed Shah said the festival was not about setting records but about conveying a message of peace, equality, love and cultural harmony to the world. He noted that over the past two years, the festival had played a significant role in placing Pakistan more prominently on the global cultural map.
This year, around 1,000 artists from 150 countries will participate alongside performers representing all provinces of Pakistan, showcasing the nation’s rich cultural diversity from the Himalayan mountain region to the coast of Gwadar. Collaborative performances between Pakistani and international artists will also provide young students at the Arts Council with opportunities to work alongside global creative talent.
World Culture Festival Provides Equal Opportunities and Inclusivity
Emphasising human equality, Shah stated that discrimination based on colour, race, caste, religion or gender was unacceptable. The festival aims to provide equal opportunities to artists regardless of their nationality or socioeconomic background. He noted that despite racial discrimination and government-imposed restrictions in some countries, artists are travelling to Pakistan to participate, with financial assistance arranged for those facing limited resources.
This year, 80 to 85 per cent of the participating artists are new to the event, encompassing dancers, musicians, theatre performers, filmmakers, directors, painters and sculptors. Specific efforts have also been made to include artists with special needs.
Public Access and Global Line-up
The Arts Council president confirmed that 97 to 98 per cent of the festival’s activities would be free to the public via online registration. Registration may be capped once venue capacities are reached, though additional arrangements are being made to accommodate high public interest.
The 25-day World Culture Festival will feature a wide range of cultural activities, including art exhibitions, mega concerts, theatre, music and dance performances. Highlighted acts include internationally acclaimed pianists, Spanish flamenco performers, dancers from the British Royal Ballet, approximately 70 performers from two Russian dance groups, and Tajikistan’s presidential orchestra.
Artists from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and several African countries are also arriving in Karachi. While five groups from Spain are scheduled to participate, the Spanish ambassador will be unable to attend due to three days of national mourning following a train accident in Spain.
Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Global Links
Muhammad Ahmed Shah announced that a group of Iranian-origin artists, largely based in France, the United Kingdom and other countries, will present Layla Majnun on 31 October. The World Culture Festival aims to introduce audiences to centuries-old musical traditions alongside new creative experiences. He noted that while Pakistan possesses its own distinctive qawwali tradition, other countries bring equally rich musical heritages.
The Arts Council is providing further opportunities for artists and students through international scholarships and residency programmes. Discussions on formal cultural cooperation are under way with Guinness World Records, Art Paris and the European Union, alongside efforts to explore joint cultural activities across all 27 EU member states.
Highlighting the broader role of culture, Shah observed that artists associated with major Indian film productions had expressed interest in visiting Pakistan, though they remained hesitant due to security concerns. He reassured attendees that every artist at the World Culture Festival would receive equal protocol regardless of their financial circumstances, backed by foolproof security coordination involving police, specialised units, and civil and military intelligence agencies.
Government Support and Provincial Showcases
Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah welcomed the international delegates, noting that artists transcend language barriers to convey a universal message of peace. He called for global visa restrictions on artists to be lifted to facilitate free international travel and creative exchange.
Credit was given to Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah for bringing over 1,000 global artists under one roof. The minister noted that international guests are experiencing Pakistan’s culture, hospitality and historic landmarks firsthand through organised visits to Karachi’s coastal areas and heritage sites, helping to promote a positive global image of the country.
Reaffirming the Sindh government’s continued support for the Arts Council, the minister announced that each night of the festival would highlight the arts and traditions of different provinces, including Mehran and Balochistan. A special Mehran Night will feature local singers, including a local female artist recently featured in New York’s Times Square, alongside Raja Faqir and regional performers.
Bilateral Agreements and Festival Opening
At the conclusion of the press conference, memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on cultural exchange were signed between the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and representatives from Ecuador and Mexico. Under these agreements, artists will have opportunities to perform and teach in each other’s countries, expanding upon similar agreements already established with the United Kingdom, France and Latin America.
As part of the initial World Culture Festival activities, Ecuadorian group Away Runakuna conducted a dance workshop demonstrating regional techniques, followed by a performance by French hip-hop dance group Zigzag and Cie Alexandra N’ Possee. The opening day’s schedule concluded with a Qawwali Night, where renowned qawwal Hamza Akram and his ensemble performed traditional qawwali before thousands of attendees.
Through its dedicated coverage of international cultural exchanges and heritage initiatives, Business Cafe continues to highlight how artistic collaboration and creative diplomacy drive Pakistan’s soft power, community engagement, and regional socio-economic growth.
