5th day of World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 celebrates cultural diversity

KARACHI, Nov 02 (APP): The fifth day of the 3rd World Culture Festival Karachi 2026, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, featured a diverse programme of art, culture, music, dance, film and theatre, bringing together international artists and audiences to celebrate cultural diversity, creativity and artistic expression.

As part of the festival’s Artfelt: Conversations series, a panel discussion titled ‘Cultural Diversity as Represented in 21st Century Fine Art’ was held, featuring artists from Ethiopia, Germany, Singapore, Sweden and Kenya. Participants included Kaleab Alemayehu (Ethiopia), Petra Kaltenbach (Germany), Yip Yew Chong (Singapore), Domi Forest (Sweden) and Nelson Ijaka (Kenya).

The discussion explored cultural diversity in contemporary fine arts, the role of artificial intelligence (AI), artistic journeys and emerging creative trends. Ethiopian artist Kaleab Alemayehu said that art could offer a glimpse into a world beyond politics and serve as a powerful means of connecting people.

He emphasised that different art forms enable individuals to express their identities while promoting peace. He also acknowledged that although he was not opposed to artificial intelligence, it needed to be used thoughtfully and responsibly.

The Pakistani comedy play ‘Taleem-e-Balighan’, written and directed by Farhan Alam Siddiqui, was also staged. The 60-minute production revolved around an adult education centre run by a strict cleric, where students with contrasting personalities and stubborn attitudes create a series of humorous situations and chaotic encounters. Through satire and comedy, the play highlighted social decline and the growing distance from national principles and values.

Both theatre productions received an enthusiastic response from the audience, bringing the fifth day of the World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 to a vibrant close.