BY : Manzoor Alam Balakoti.
Karachi: The 39-day “World Culture Festival 2025”, organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, concluded after highlighting global cultural activities. Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest.
President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah warmly welcomed all guests. The ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister Labour and Human Resources Saeed Ghani, members of the Governing Body Acp , Additional IG Sindh Javed Alam Odho, DIG SSU Dr. Maqsood Ahmed, DG Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Irfan Soomro, Director Iranian Cultural Center Dr. Saeed Talebi nia, Director British Council Laila Jameel, Director Alliance Française Emmanuel Breurec, Director Goethe-Institute Karachi Andreas Schiekofer, Consul General of Thailand Surashete Boontinand, Consul General of Malaysia Herman Hardynata Ahmad, Consul General of Iran Akbar Eissa Zadeh, Consul General of Sri Lanka Sanjeewa Pattiwila, Consul General of Japan Hattori Masaru, Consul General of the UAE Bakheet Ateeq Al-Romaithi, Consul General of Germany Thomas E. Schultze, British Deputy High Commissioner Lance Domm, Ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Karmoune, Palestinian Ambassador Dr. Zuhair Muhammad Hamdallah Zaid, Ambassador of the Philippines Dr. Emmanuel R. Fernandez, Mirza Ishtiaq Baig, Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Chairman Alhamra Arts Council Lahore Razi Ahmed, Director General PNCA Ayub Jamali, Khalid Mahmood, Tariq Rafi, Shahid Malik and others.
A large number of citizens also attended the event.The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by the National Anthem. A show reel highlighting the international cultural activities of the 39-day world Culture Festival was presented.Speaking at the closing ceremony, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah said that he was grateful to Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani, international envoys, diplomats, President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah, national and international artists, media representatives and distinguished guests. “All the artists present here performed at the Arts Council. This story started last year when Ahmed Shah promised to hold an even bigger festival. Karachi was once the capital of Pakistan but today it is the cultural capital. Culture is our identity.”
He further stated that Karachi has hosted more than 1,000 artists from 142 countries. The theme of this festival was peace and environment. “Through art, we highlighted the genocide taking place in Gaza to the world. Art gives a message of peace. Environment was the second theme of this festival.”He said, “This is an extraordinary success. It is a major achievement that over a thousand artists came to Pakistan at a time when the world is engaged in conflicts. Yet the Arts Council is spreading a positive message of peace through culture. It is a beautiful coincidence that the final day of the World Culture Festival coincides with Sindh Culture Day. Sindh is a land of peace and tolerance where great poets, writers, painters and musicians have been born.”He praised Ahmed Shah, saying he worked like a heroic figure. “Ahmed Shah knows the value and power of art and culture very well. Even special children performed in this festival.”He added, “Karachi has faced many difficulties, but also holds tremendous opportunities for progress.
I thank all artists from around the world. Do not harm others for your happiness.”In his welcome address, President Arts Council Muhmmad Ahmed Shah thanked Chief Minister Sindh, ministers, diplomats, ambassadors, Sindh officials, Sindh Police and international artists. He acknowledged the continuous support of the Sindh government and security agencies, saying that more than 80% of international artists came at their own expense.He said, “Last year we had participation from 44 countries, this year artists came from all over the world. Our team, students and volunteers worked day and night without breaks. Next year we will host an even bigger festival. More than 1,000 Pakistani artists participated. The global community is aware of women’s issues, child exploitation and genocide. We want peace and raise our voice through art.”He said, “Today is Sindhi Cultural Day, and we are celebrating it along with the closing of the World Culture Festival.” During the ceremony, Ambassador of Palestine Dr Zuhair Mohammad Hamadallah Zaid presented a symbolic Palestinian scarf to the Chief Minister Sindh and President Arts Council, while CM Sindh presented traditional Sindhi Ajrak and shields to the Palestinian Ambassador and international artists. Ahmed Shah also presented a shield to the Chief Minister for his services. Earlier, the final day began with a dance workshop by Cameroon’s renowned artist Jay C Val, attended by students of the Arts Council Dance Academy. Egypt presented the theatre play “When”, written and directed by Eiad Elsiedy, and presented by Egypt’s Badeya group. The evening concluded with a mega musical performance in which legendary Balochi artist Ustad Noor Bakhsh enthralled the audience with his Benjoo tunes, followed by folk singer Taj Mastani’s performance. International performers Veronica (Belarus), Kenta Shoji (Japan), Farah Baba Ammi (Algeria), Zouratie Kone (Bangladesh) and Cameroon’s Jay C Val with Sovapa presented a joint performance that added splendour to the closing ceremony.
