The 12th day of the Third World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 drew huge crowds to the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, with halls so full that the entrances had to be closed as audiences packed in for a day of art, film, yoga and theatre.
The 25-day festival, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, featured a wide range of activities on 10 November, spanning visual arts, yoga, cinema and theatre. Students, young participants and art lovers showed keen interest in the day’s programmes from the morning onwards.
The day began with a visual arts workshop conducted by renowned Swedish artist Domi Forest in the lobby of the Arts Council. She guided participants through practical and creative exercises focused on sketching, visual expression and contemporary artistic techniques, encouraging them to communicate their thoughts and emotions through art.
Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah thanked Domi Forest for her contribution, saying she was bringing countless colours, passion and love to the city and the institution. He also announced that she would return to the Arts Council in March for at least two weeks to conduct regular teaching and training sessions for students.
Speaking at the workshop, Domi Forest said artists tell stories through their pictures, and the most important thing was not what happened during the workshop but what participants decided to do afterwards. She said the workshop was a reminder that, no matter how much turmoil surrounded people, they could preserve their inner peace and keep the spark of passion alive.
The Pakistani Punjabi film Mango Jatt was also screened as part of the festival. Featuring action, comedy, romance and family emotions, the film drew the attention of the audience. A special panel discussion followed the screening, featuring Muhammad Ahmed Shah, renowned actor Faisal Qureshi, and actress and producer Hareem Farooq.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijani trainer Gunay Ismayilova conducted a guided yoga session titled Find Your Flow. The session introduced participants to basic yoga postures focusing on physical flexibility, balance and proper breathing techniques, with breathing exercises, stretching and guided meditation aimed at reducing stress and restoring energy and focus.
The day concluded with two theatre productions, Taleem-e-Balighan and Begum Jaan. Written and directed by Farhan Alam Siddiqui, the comedy play Taleem-e-Balighan explored social attitudes and national values through humorous incidents set in an adult education centre, using satire to highlight different aspects of society.
The theatre production Begum Jaan, meanwhile, portrayed the story of a woman who was once celebrated and admired but gradually faded from public memory as times changed. The play explored the life of a forgotten performer, highlighting themes of loneliness, changing social attitudes and the passage of time.
Both productions attracted overwhelming crowds, with large numbers of people gathering at the Arts Council. Due to the extraordinary turnout, the entrances to the halls and auditoriums had to be closed. The performances were warmly received, with audiences applauding the artists for their outstanding presentations.
The festival, which presents theatre, music, dance, film and visual arts from around the world, will continue at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi until 22 November, with the public able to attend through free registration.