World Culture Festival 2026 begins in Karachi with 1,000 artists from 150 countries

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will formally inaugurate the 25-day third World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 on 30 October. The festival is being organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

At a press conference on the festival, Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah and Provincial Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah said the aim of the international cultural festival was not merely to set records. They said it was to spread the message of peace, equality, love and cultural harmony across the world.

The Arts Council president said that over the past two years the World Culture Festival had played an important part in placing Pakistan on the global cultural map.

Artists and arrangements

This year, 1,000 artists from 150 countries will showcase their talents at the festival. The culture of all provinces and regions of Pakistan, from the Himalayas to Gwadar, will also be represented. Representation of all provinces, including Sindh and Balochistan, has been ensured.

According to Muhammad Ahmed Shah, 80 to 85 per cent of the artists are taking part for the first time. They include dancers, musicians, theatre artists, filmmakers, directors, painters and sculptors. Efforts are also being made to include artists with special needs.

He said 97 to 98 per cent of the festival’s activities would be free for the public, and online registration had been provided. Registration has to be limited once capacity is full, but arrangements are being made to ensure the participation of as many people as possible.

Various cultural activities will be held during the festival, including art exhibitions, mega concerts, theatre, music and dance.

Foreign artists and agreements

Renowned pianists from around the world, flamenco artists from Spain, artists linked to the British Royal Ballet, about 70 artists from two dance groups of Russia and the Presidential Orchestra of Tajikistan will also take part in the festival. Artists from Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and African countries are also arriving in Karachi.

Five artist groups from Spain will take part. However, the Spanish ambassador will not be able to attend because of three days of mourning in Spain after a train accident. A group of artists of Iranian origin will perform the play Laila Majnu on 31 October.

The Arts Council is also providing opportunities for international scholarships and residency programmes for artists and students. On the occasion, memorandums of understanding on cultural exchange were signed between the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi and Ecuador and Mexico.

Provincial Minister for Culture Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah said artists had no language and their message was one of peace and love. He urged an end to visa restrictions on artists around the world.

On the first day of the festival, renowned qawwal Hamza Akram performed qawwali with his group, which captivated the gathering.