The eighth day of the World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 turned into one of the busiest nights of the festival so far, with packed halls, closed gates and a concert that ended the evening on a high. The 25-day festival, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi, brought together children’s theatre, art workshops, film screenings, two major theatre productions and a live music concert on Friday, 6 November — and the crowds kept coming.
The festival, which opened on 29 October and runs until 22 November, is the third edition of the World Culture Festival in Karachi. Its opening coverage put the scale at around 1,000 artists from 150 countries, and day eight showed why that scale matters: artists from Norway, Kenya, Poland and the United States shared the programme with some of Pakistan’s best-known theatre and music names, all under one roof at the Arts Council.
Ghun Chakkar packs the studio — gates closed as crowds pour in
The biggest crowd of the day gathered for Farhan Rahim’s comedy play Ghun Chakkar. The performance drew what The News described as an overwhelming response from festival-goers, with such a large audience turning up that the studio gates had to be closed. It was the clearest sign yet of how strongly Karachi audiences have taken to the festival’s theatre programme: a comedy on a Friday evening, a full house, and people still arriving after the doors shut.
The play’s success also reflects the festival’s wider pull. With theatre, music, film and workshops running side by side through the day, visitors stayed from afternoon into the night — and the evening’s two headline productions both played to large audiences.
Manto Mera Dost brings Manto and Ismat Chughtai to the stage
Tehrik-e-Niswan presented its theatre production Manto Mera Dost, featuring Sheema Kermani and her group. The play explored the friendship, literary association and life experiences of two of Urdu literature’s most celebrated writers, Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai. Through their story, the production highlighted the human tragedy of Partition, migration, religious prejudice and social contradictions, while portraying Manto’s fearless literary vision and his profound observations of human behaviour.
The performance also attracted a large audience. For many in the hall, it was a rare chance to see Manto and Chughtai’s friendship — and the world they wrote about — brought to life on stage, in a festival that has made space for serious theatre alongside its lighter, celebratory side.
International artists lead the day’s workshops and films
The day began with a children’s theatre performance by Norway’s Erler Teaterkompani. Their play, Gangster Hunting with Daisy Detective, followed detective Daisy as she unravelled a mysterious case and pursued a gangster — a light, playful start to a day that grew more serious as it went on.
In the lobby area, renowned Kenyan artist Onesmus Okamar conducted a fine arts workshop, introducing Arts Council students and other participants to various techniques and intricacies of painting and visual arts. Speaking about his artistic vision, he said that women were central figures in his work and that his characters always pointed towards light. “No matter how dark your life may be, what matters is how you search for the light,” he remarked. A large number of art students and enthusiasts took part, creating their own artworks on canvas.
Polish artist Dominika Sergeij also conducted a fine arts workshop, teaching participants techniques for conveying messages of peace and tranquillity through colours and paper. ACP President Muhammad Ahmed Shah said the performing and visual arts were among the most effective means of spreading the message of peace. “We can communicate our message through colours, music and theatre. People need peace,” he said.
A music workshop was conducted by American musician Rizwan Jagani and pianist Soltow, attracting music students and performers. The artists provided specialised training in the harmony and balance of chamber music and gave an impressive musical performance that was warmly appreciated by the participants. The film-screening programme, titled Pakistani and Student Films, featured four productions: Jujji, Chand Pe Charkha Kaat’ti Budhiya, Pani Mathe Jhoopra and Dil Diyan Gallan.
Ali Noor closes the night at Jon Elia Lawn
The day concluded with the musical concert Pure Vibes with Ali Noor at Jon Elia Lawn, featuring renowned singers Ali Noor and Ahsan Bari. Both artists captivated the audience with their vocals and engaging performances, creating an electrifying musical atmosphere. Their performances received enthusiastic applause, with Jon Elia Lawn resonating with cheers and appreciation.
The concert was a ticketed event, with the listing showing standard tickets at Rs3,000 and VIP tickets at Rs6,000. For fans who could not get in, it was another reminder of how quickly the festival’s headline nights are selling out — the same demand that had already forced the studio gates to close earlier in the evening.
Festival continues until 22 November
With 17 days still to go, the World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 continues at the Arts Council until 22 November. The published schedule lists Abdul Hannan live on 8 November, and the festival’s mix of theatre, music, film, workshops and international collaborations is set to continue through the coming weeks.
Day eight showed the festival working at full strength: a comedy that filled the studio beyond capacity, a literary production that honoured two giants of Urdu writing, workshops led by artists from three continents, and a closing concert that had the whole lawn cheering. For Karachi’s audiences, it was a night that lived up to the festival’s promise — and a sign of more to come.
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