T he Arts Council, Karachi, is taking the lead in hosting festivals that include groups from countries around the world. The tradition of organising arts festivals was also started and sustained for about 15 years carried by the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop in Lahore. Many groups from other countries engaged in theatre, music, puppetry, dance and mime play reading participated in those festivals.
Unfortunately the welcome routine came to an end following a terrorist attack on their festival in 2008. Since then the festivals held in Lahore have had little foreign participation. Gradually, the focus has shifted to Karachi, particularly the Arts Council where Ali Ahmed Shah is the prime mover.
Resourceful well motivated, he gets things done at an impressive pace. It appears that he and Anwar Maqsood work well in tandem and get through the chores efficiently and without running into obstacles. Ali Ahmed Shah has also been bold enough to take the activities organised by the Karachi Arts Council beyond to emphasise that the arts or artistic expression should not and cannot be limited to just of one city and belong everywhere in the country.
Cultural exchanges are needed across the globe, Justas they are needed across Pakistan. It is difficult to list here all the groups expected to participate in the World Culture Festival the KAC is organising and the significant players who will be there but mention has been made of Cocoon Dance Company from Germany. The festival, featuring more th.