As-salamu alaykum - Saudi cultural groups to join Karachi's World Culture Festival for the first time
As-salamu alaykum - Alhamdulillah, Pakistan will host cultural troupes from Saudi Arabia for the first time at the World Culture Festival in Karachi, running from Oct. 31 to Dec. 7.
Organizers say this will be one of the biggest festivals of its kind. Groups from 141 countries are expected to take part: 37 from Africa, 41 from Asia, 36 from Europe, 13 from North America, 11 from South America and three from Oceania.
Over the seven-week run there will be around 45 theatre shows, 60 music performances, 25 dance pieces, six exhibitions, 25 workshops and 15 talks. The lineup reportedly includes about 25 international and 30 national artists.
Muhammad Ahmed Shah, president of the Arts Council of Pakistan, mentioned that many Middle Eastern cultural groups are joining this year and expressed gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his support of the arts in Saudi Arabia. He also said Pakistan hopes to strengthen cultural ties with the Kingdom in the future, Insha'Allah.
Shah said the festival aims to build peace and mutual understanding, and that artists from areas affected by conflict will be part of the programme. “When people from around the world come here, they will see how peaceful we are,” he noted.
The council says it received more than 2,800 film submissions - a volume they called unmatched by other festivals. Filmmakers from India and Israel also reportedly reached out to take part.
For context, Pakistan and India have had tense relations after a recent four-day military clash, and Pakistan does not recognize Israel, continuing to call for a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
May this festival be a means of spreading goodwill and cultural exchange, and may it bring people together in peace.
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