ACP’s World Culture Festival kicks off in Karachi with a call for peace and cultural exchange
The World Culture Festival 2025 kicked off at the Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi on Friday, and from the first note, it felt like the city was hosting the world. Bringing together artists from 141 countries, the 39-day festival celebrates music, film and performance under the themes of peace, climate awareness and cultural exchange.
According to Arts Council Pakistan, Karachi President Ahmad Shah, the festival aims to “remind the world that art can still speak where politics fails,” and in that spirit, the opening night featured a homage to Gaza which he called “the greatest genocide of the 21st century.” The second theme highlights other global challenges such as climate change through short films and performances.
The opening night was a mix of folk and contemporary performances. Pakistani visual artist Amin Gulgee opened with a visual arts performance titled The Game, while the traditional Balochi 'Leva' dance drew loud cheers with its rhythmic beats.
