Another feather in ACP’s cap as World Culture Festival concludes after 38 days

After 38-days of musical and theatrical productions, a large number of which were performed by foreign artistes, the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) concluded its mega World Culture Festival on Saturday evening at a ceremony at the YMCA Ground.

The closing ceremony offered folk dance, musical concert and homourous talk by Anwar Maqsood that delighted the audience.

In his speech, Maqsood remarked that the youth were an asset of the country. He urged the youth to not leave the country.

Maqsood praised ACP President Ahmed Shah and his entire team for successfully organising one-of-a-kind festival that continued for over a month and brought artistes of various countries. “Only Ahmed Shah could have organised such a massive festival over 38 days,” he said, adding that that ACP had reached new heights by holding the World Culture Festival.

The ACP president asked the people of Karachi to remain connected with the Arts Council if they wished to see more such events in the future.

He said the festival’s success was due to tireless efforts by his team who had worked day and night for it. “My purpose is to serve Pakistan and its flag. I could have left this country, but I chose not to,” Ahmed Shah said.

He told the ceremony that he came from a middle-class family but due to his hard work he was able to convert the ACP into one of the world's leading cultural institutions.

He also appreciated the Sindh government for fully supporting what he termed a cultural revolution that had been brought about by the ACP. “This festival was made possible with the cooperation of the Sindh government. When there was an explosion at the airport, we safely brought our twenty foreign artistes through a secure back route,” he recalled.

The ACP president called Maqsood a mentor of artistes and art enthusiasts.

Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah also attended the ceremony. He said tribute to Ahmed Shah, Maqsood and all those who contributed to the mega festival’s success.

A reel showcasing the ACP’s events was also screened. The youths at the ceremony especially enjoyed musical performances by Asim Azhar, Arman Rahim, Mustafa Baloch, Muneeb Khan and Sameer Hamza. Popular poet among youths Tehzeeb Hafi also recited his poetry during the ceremony.

Famous folk singer Akhtar Chanal also performed at the event. He was also honoured with a lifetime achievement award.

Foreign artistes who attended the event included Azerbaijan's Dadash Mamedov, Egypt’s Muhammad El-Sawi, Madan Gopal from Nepal and members of the Arnold & Komarov Traveling Theater from Switzerland. They were presented with shields along with the Sindh chief secretary, South Zone DIG Syed Asad Raza and South Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Altaf H Sario. The ceremony ended with beautiful display of fireworks.