KARACHI: The 39-day World Culture Festival 2025 began on a vibrant note at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi on Friday, marking the start of one of South Asia’s largest cultural gatherings that brings together artists from 141 countries under themes of peace — with a homage to Gaza — and environmental awareness.

The festival opened with colorful performances, film screenings and exhibitions aimed at promoting cross-cultural harmony. The event, which runs through December 7, features artists and troupes from countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, Japan, Türkiye and Sri Lanka, alongside a strong lineup of Pakistani performers.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who inaugurated the event, praised the Arts Council for turning Karachi into “the cultural heart of the nation.”

“Karachi, unpredictable, vibrant and alive, has always embodied the soul of Pakistan,” he said. “Today, it welcomes the world.”

“What began last year as a bold experiment with artists from 44 countries has now grown into a festival representing 142 nations and over 1,000 artists,” he continued, highlighting this as proof of Pakistan’s commitment to building cultural bridges.

The chief minister described the event as a symbol of Pakistan’s openness to global artistic exchange.

The festival’s first theme, peace, focuses on global conflicts, particularly Gaza, which Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah called “the greatest tragedy of the 21st century.” 

“We need a better and more civilized world. Artists around the globe have strongly condemned this genocide,” he said, adding the second theme focuses on the environment, with short films and performances emphasizing the global impact of climate change.

“Representatives from all over the world are participating to celebrate the beautiful fusion of cultures,” he continued.

Shah said the festival aims to build bridges through art at a time when “the world needs more empathy than ever.”

“Artists around the globe have condemned war and violence,” he said. “This festival is our collective message that humanity can be united through art, music and culture.”

The opening night drew a distinguished audience, including the consul generals of Australia, France, Japan, the UAE and Türkiye, as well as officials from Sri Lanka, Russia and Bangladesh. 

Live performances filled the venue with music, dance and visual art from around the world.

Pakistan’s Amin Gulgee staged a performance, while the Balochi folk dance Leva captivated audiences with its rhythmic energy.

International acts included Madan Gopal from Nepal, Lucy Tasker from Belgium, Ammar Ashkar from Syria, and Shireen Jawad from Bangladesh.

French musician Zakaria Haffar performed on the santoor, and Pakistani flutist Akbar Khamiso Khan added a traditional touch to the evening.

Dance groups such as Ballet Beyond Borders and Chrome Louie from the United States, along with artists from Italy, Romania and the Congo, performed contemporary and classical routines that celebrated global unity.

A short film from South Korea titled Plastic and another from Kiribati, Love Note to an Island, were screened to highlight the environmental theme.

The chief minister commended the Sindh government’s partnership with the Arts Council and reaffirmed continued support for creative industries.

“In Sindh, culture is not just a policy, it’s our identity,” he said. “From Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai’s poetry to our theater and cinema, our artists are Pakistan’s true ambassadors of peace.”