World Culture Festival Day Four Brings Music, Theatre
The fourth day of the World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 packed music, film, theatre and dance into a single day at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, as performers from several countries shared one stage. The day moved from a morning masterclass to an evening dance show, and the hall stayed full from start to finish.
Organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, the third edition of the festival brings together more than 1,000 international artists from over 150 countries alongside more than 500 Pakistani artists. The 25-day programme runs until 22 November, and the public can attend through free registration.
What the World Culture Festival Karachi staged on day four
The day opened with an international music masterclass led by the group ALIF DUO, whose members represent the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and France. The session, titled Strings, Harmony and Counterpoint, gave participants hands-on training in the violin, viola and cello. Artists Seulki Lee and Antonin Le Faure led the class, and students from several countries took part.
Le Faure told the class that he had studied music from Asian, African and other countries, and that curiosity sits at the heart of learning an instrument. He said every note carries its own weight, and music can only truly be learned when it is felt. Lee added that even the smallest change in a note can be heard clearly, and that music expresses human feeling in a way no machine can replace.
The programme then turned to film with a screening of the Pakistani film Wakhri, which drew a large audience. Director Eram Parveen Bilal joined the discussion after the screening through a video link, while producer Abid Merchant took part in person. Members of the audience joined the question-and-answer session that followed.
Theatre, concert and dance close the day
The theatre group Grieta Teatro from Uruguay presented Chicha, a 45-minute solo piece by artist Betina Andarina. The show used physical theatre and clowning, with music, movement and memory, to explore human feeling, silence and stories from the past. It drew laughs, stirred emotion and asked the audience to reflect on what it means to be human.
The international musical programme Crossfade followed, with artists from Japan, France, Pakistan and Serbia on one bill. Juna Serita from Japan, Zakaria Haffar from France, Asteria from Pakistan and Aleksander from Serbia each brought a distinct style, and their sets kept the hall engaged through the evening.
The day closed with Beats Galore, a dance show featuring performers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, Brazil, Singapore and Croatia. Valerie Green from the United States, Josh Middleton and Rebecca Solomon from the United Kingdom, Away Runakuna from Ecuador, Cia Livre de Dança da Rocinha from Brazil, Sherene Joseph from Singapore, and Tina Zubovic with SOVAPA Students from Croatia all performed. Their dances reflected different cultures and styles, and the auditorium echoed with applause as the artists took their bows.
What happens next at the festival
Feature Pakistan covered the festival when it opened in October, and the day-four programme shows how wide its range has become, from classical training in the morning to world dance at night. With the festival running until 22 November, later days will bring more theatre, music, dance and visual arts to the same Karachi stage.
When does the World Culture Festival Karachi end?
The festival runs until 22 November at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, and the public can attend through free registration.
How many artists are taking part in the festival?
More than 1,000 international artists from over 150 countries are taking part, alongside more than 500 Pakistani artists.
What was on the fourth day of the festival?
The fourth day featured a music masterclass by ALIF DUO, a screening of the Pakistani film Wakhri, the theatre piece Chicha from Uruguay, the Crossfade concert and the Beats Galore dance show.
Who performed in the Beats Galore dance show?
Performers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ecuador, Brazil, Singapore and Croatia took part, including Valerie Green, Josh Middleton, Rebecca Solomon, Away Runakuna, Cia Livre de Dança da Rocinha, Sherene Joseph, Tina Zubovic and SOVAPA Students.
Which film was screened on day four?
The Pakistani film Wakhri was screened, followed by a discussion with director Eram Parveen Bilal through a video link and producer Abid Merchant in person.
