International artists from Poland, Norway, Serbia and Spain present theatre, music, cinema and traditional dance during the 25-day World Culture Festival in Karachi.
KARACHI: The 3rd World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 showcased an international mix of theatre, music, cinema and traditional dance on its sixth day, bringing together artists from different countries for a diverse programme of cultural performances and creative activities.
Organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, the 25-day festival featured children’s theatre productions from Poland and Norway, a Serbian music workshop, Polish short films, an Urdu-English stage play and a Spanish Flamenco dance performance.
The children’s programme opened with Little Red Riding Hood, presented by Poland’s Miniatura City Theatre. Conceptualised, directed and designed by Chile-born artist David Zawalla, the production offered a futuristic interpretation of the familiar fairy tale.
Unlike the traditional story, the play portrayed a world in which the last human girl struggles to survive on a devastated Earth. Puppetry played a central role in the production, adding a distinctive visual element to the performance for younger audiences.
Another children’s attraction was Gangster Hunting with Daisy Detective, presented by Norway’s Erler Teaterkompani. The adventure-based production followed detective Daisy as she attempted to solve a mysterious case and track down a gangster. Children were also encouraged to participate in the investigation, making the performance interactive.
Music enthusiasts took part in a workshop titled Jam and Improvisation, conducted by Serbian guitarist and musician Aleksandar Lipovan. The session introduced participants to musical improvisation and collaborative performance techniques, providing an opportunity to explore creativity through music.
The festival’s cinema programme featured a special Polish segment titled Polish Featurette. Four short films — Blue Bird, Momo & Lulu, Dream Up the Title and The Town That Drove Away — were screened, presenting audiences with different storytelling approaches and creative perspectives from Poland.
The evening theatre programme featured English Only, an Urdu-English production directed by Awab Bin Farhat and staged at 7 p.m. Set in a classroom in Karachi, the play explored the importance of learning English through the experiences of four students who shared the ambition of becoming proficient in the language.
The production highlighted challenges and social realities associated with language learning, using the students’ interactions to examine the subject through a theatrical narrative.
Spanish culture also took centre stage with Flamenco Blanco Flamenco, presented under the theme The Grace of Movement. The performance introduced audiences to Flamenco, a traditional Spanish dance form recognised for its expressive gestures, rhythmic footwork and passionate movements.
The performers combined intricate hand movements, energetic steps and musical rhythms to demonstrate the emotional depth and artistic character of the dance tradition.
The sixth day’s programme attracted enthusiastic applause from spectators, reflecting their appreciation for the participating artists and the variety of cultural presentations.
The ongoing World Culture Festival continues to provide an international platform for artists to showcase their cultural traditions, exchange creative ideas and connect with audiences through theatre, music, film, dance and other forms of artistic expression.
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