Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate of Spain in Karachi hosted Spanish cultural dance ‘Flamenco – Dance Concert’.

Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi in collaboration with the Honorary Consulate of Spain in Karachi hosted a special cultural dance of Spain “Flamenco – Dance Concert” on 16^th May 2022 at Arts Council Auditorium I, Karachi.

This Dance-Concert was attended by President, ACP Muhammad Ahmad Shah, ACP’s Members Governing Body, the Ambassador of Spain Manuel Durán Giménez-Rico, Deputy Ambassador of Spain Elena Gómez, Honorary Consul General of Spain Ghous-e-Akbar & various social figures.

Ghous-e-Akbar & Muhammad Ahmed Shah presenting flower to Manuel Durán Giménez-Rico

Ambassador of Spain His Excellency Manuel Durán Giménez-Rico said that; “Flamenco has been an art for many years and has been our cultural dance for long period of time. We hope you all enjoy our cultural dance”.

Ambassador of Spain, His Excellency Manuel Durán Giménez-Rico sharing his views on Flamenco.

Flamenco, is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain and was developed within the gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, but also having a historical presence in Extremadura and Murcia. It is more of a variety of both contemporary and traditional musical styles typical of southern Spain.

Flamenco Dancers from Seville Spain, Compania Choni & Victor Bravo.

Flamenco Dancer from Seville Spain, Compania Choni

Flamenco Dancers from Seville Spain, Compania Choni & Victor Bravo with musicians David Bastidas & Juan Manuel

The Spanish Ambassador further said that; “this is our first event in the ACP Karachi and I am sure that this won’t be the last one, as we see ACP Karachi as the best venue in Karachi for such type of cultural events. We hope that this collaboration between us will continue in the future”.

At ‘Flamenco – Dance Concert’, the Spanish cultural dance Flaminco’s expert dancers Compania Choni and Victor Bravo’s brilliant dance received a standing ovation from the audience, while the Spanish musicians David Bastidas & Juan Manuel performed along-side the dance and received praise as well.

It should be noted that the ACP Karachi is turning out to be an institution that takes steps for promotion of Pakistani culture and also promotes foreign culture by collaborating with other foreign consulates in Pakistan.

Flamenco – Dance Concert | Compania Choni & Victor Bravo | Arts Council of Pakistan | Karachi.

Second episode of Sound of Spirit (aka) Spirit of Pakistan held at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

Last weekend on Saturday 10^th of July 2021 Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi presented ‘Sound of Spirit’ Episode 2. This event also termed as Spirit of Pakistan was powered by Arts Council Music Academy (ACMA). ‘Sound of Spirit’ is a live performance avenue featuring the young music talent of the city as well as some of the most recognized names in the music industry. 

The event took place at two different venues of the ACP Karachi in two different stages. The first session of the event saw dynamic performances of young individuals Mahnoor Sehar, Newton Mushtaq, Muneeb, Hassan Asif, Abdul Rafay, Waeez Wajid, Noor Latif, Zain (rubab player), Rimsha Qureshi and Sami Amiri. Some of the vital bands that performed during this session were Khizer with Team, Jam Bro’z, Osaid Tabrez, Gumaan and Qirtaas. This vibrant session concluded with a drum circle performance curated by Shams-ul-Arifeen.

The second session was held at the main stage of ACP Karachi and featured the spirited performances of music maestros Afaq Adnan, Shahid Rehman, Intezar Hussain, Bilal Brohi, Nimra Rafiq, Ali Asad, Arman Rahim, Mustafa Khan and Mustafa Baloch. This session also had vibrant performances of emerging bands including Karachi Orchestra featuring Mai Dahi & Wahab Bhugti, Kashmir Band, ACMA The Band and Hashtags. All of these music maestros set the atmosphere on fire.

This event was graced by the President of ACP Karachi, Mohammad Ahmed Shah, governing body and members of ACP Karachi. Mr. Tolga Uchak the Consul General of Turkey in Karachi was also present.

Event Director of this Episode 2 of ‘Sounds of Spirit’, Ahsan Bari while addressing the ceremony said; “this ‘Sound of Spirit’ is aimed to create a platform for the new talents, where they can enhance their skills and integrate themselves to promote the cultural activities in the city”. Ahsan Bari further added by saying that; “Arts Council Music Academy (ACMA) is now introducing the Music Education Course of International Standards for those who want to pursue their career in the music industry”.

The fun-filled event was attended by a large number of music lovers continues till mid night.

Fourth (04th) Sindh Literature Festival is all set to kick-off today at Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

Fourth (04^th) Sindh Literature Festival, which is jointly organized by the Sindh Literary Foundation (SLF), Endowment Fund Trust (EFT), Culture Department Government of Sindh and Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi. This festival is a three-day event which includes book-launches, sessions on cultural development, political development, history, education along-with live performances of folk-music and theatre.

Fourth (04^th) Sindh Literature Festival will be inaugurated by Syed Sardar Ali Shah, provincial minister of Sindh for culture. This was informed by President ACP Karachi, Mr. Mohammad Ahmed Shah while addressing the press conference for the Fourth (04^th) Sindh Literature Festival.

President of ACP Karachi said; “I am grateful to our press/media for highlighting the positive face of Pakistan”. He further added by saying that; “ACP is the core of culture and the biggest festival of Sindh culture is going to be held in Arts Council and we are delighted to host this literature festival”.

Mohammad Ahmed Shah was accompanied by the writer and columnist Noor-ul-Huda Shah along with organizers Naseer Gopang, Zohaib Kaka and Najia Mir. He said; “five years ago, three youngsters Naseer Gopang, Zohaib Kaka and Najia Mir set out to organize the Sindh Literature Festival, a festival that reflects Sindh’s literature, way of life and culture”.

“For some time, there has been a lot of work being done in Sindh to eradicate hatred. There are two platforms that are playing a pivotal role in this regard. One is the Arts Council and the other is the Sindh Literary Foundation. The Arts Council is a place where every language and culture is valued. This year I hope that the more people participate in this program, the more positive the message will be conveyed to the world” said Noor-ul-Huda Shah.

One of the organizer Naseer Gopang said; “we used to attend Karachi Literature Festival every year and being inspired by that we decided to organize Sindh Literature Festival. The purpose was to highlight that Pakistan boasts rich and vibrant cultures, traditions and flavors”.

Addressing the press conference, Zohaib Kaka said that; “the festival is being organized under very  adverse conditions and during such times we would like to thank Endowment Fund Trust, secretary culture (Sindh) Akbar Laghari, Minister of Culture (Sindh) Syed Sardar Ali Shah and president Arts Council Mohammad Ahmed Shah for this continuous support us for this festival”.

Najia Mir said that; “04^th Sindh Literature Festival will have about 27 sessions, including international sessions. Many overseas literary personalities will also participate in the festival virtually”. She further added that; “people who love literature have always supported us and the number of visitors to the Sindh Literature Festival is increasing every year, which is a good sign”.

“Sound Spirit” a live musical performance powered by ‘Arts Council Music Academy’ held at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

“Sound Spirit” is a series of live musical performances presented by Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, powered by ‘Arts Council Music Academy’ (ACMA).

Addressing the audience on the occasion President of ACP Karachi, Mohammad Ahmed Shah said; “our youth doesn’t get a platform where they can perform or showcase their talents. The purpose of initiating this series “Sound Spirit” is to create an opportunity for the music community to not only enhances their professional skills but also to create an opportunity to come and collaborate together.”

Ahmed Shah added; “we have been working really hard to bring the best out in the music and you will witness this during this event”.

A large number of people were gathered at the ACP Karachi for the first episode of “Sound Spirit”, which was named as ‘Crescendo’. Along with the ACMA students, some of the most recognized names of the music industry including Natasha Baig, Shallum Xavier, Aziz Kazi, Russel D’Souza and Auj – the Band also performed during the first episode of “Sound Spirit”.

The event was concluded with the special performance of the director of ACMA Adnan Afaq, faculty members and ACMA students under the curation of the creative head, Ahsan Bari.

Senior Pakistani actor Sohail Ahmed praises Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

Prominent Pakistani actor Sohail Ahmed attended the closing ceremony of 13^th Aalmi Urdu Conference held here at the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi on 06^th December 2020.

After attending the closing ceremony, Sohail Ahmed shared his views and said; “after coming to Karachi I realized that there is a big difference between the ACP Lahore and ACP Karachi. ACP Lahore operates like a commercial entity and is in the business of making money, whereas ACP Karachi is taking steps for the promotion of art and culture which is highly commendable”.

He said; “Arts Councils all over Pakistan, who are not working for the promotions of art, should come and learn how to promote arts and literature from the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi”.

Sohail Ahmed further said; “the cultural festivals like the Aalmi Urdu Conference spreads energy and positivity among the nation and I congratulate Mohammad Ahmed Shah for organizing such a wonderful conference. This conference has proved that there are still people who love Urdu and the Federal Government should also pay attention to this”.

On concluding note, Sohail Ahmed said; “with the name of Karachi, the only thing that used to come to my mind was ‘Sea’ but now the name of Ahmed Shah will also come to my mind”.

‘13th Aalmi Urdu Conference’ to commence from 03rd December 2020 – Ahmed Shah.

13^th Aalmi Urdu Conference’ is scheduled to start in the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) Karachi from 03^rd December 2020. This was announced by President, Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Mohammad Ahmed Shah in a press conference held at lawns of ACP Karachi.

“Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi has been successfully hosting the Aalmi Urdu Conference for last 12 years, however this year the conference will be different from all the previous conferences due to Corona outbreak. The overseas literary personalities will mark their presence digitally in the conference”, these views were expressed by president ACP Karachi Mohammad Ahmed Shah in a press conference.

Addressing the press conference President ACP Karachi Mohammad Ahmed Shah said “due to corona outbreak this year the conference will be limited. Masood Qamar from Sweden, Ghazal Ansari from the UK, Tahira Kazmi from Muscat, and Farhat Parveen from America will join the conference.  Whereas the prominent personalities of Pakistan Zia Mohyuddin, Anwer Maqsood, Sohail Ahmed, Humayun Saeed, Nadeem Baig, Yasir Hussain, Sohail Waraich, Aasma Shirazi, Haseena Moin, Peerzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, Zehra Nigah, Asad Mohammad Khan, Hasan Manzar, Anwer Shour, Mazhar Abbas, Dr. Shehrshah Syed, Kishwar Naheed, Abbasin Yosufzai, Shah Mohammad Marri and others will be the part of the conference.”

The ‘13^th Aalmi Urdu Conference’ will be held from 03^rd December ~ 06^th December 2020 at ACP Karachi. This year the conference will hold the sessions in all regional languages of Pakistan including Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto, Siraiki, and Balochi. At the conference, there will be a session ‘Bayaad-e-Asif Farrukhi’ in the memory of late literary critic personality Asif Aslam Farrukhi.

This 4 day Aalmi Urdu Conference will also have sessions like Education, Poetry, Culture, Literature, languages, youth Mushaira, Aalmi Mushaira, and many others.

On the occasion of this announcement Secretary ACP Karachi Ejaz Ahmed Farooqi, Treasurer ACP Karachi Qudsia Akbar and senior actor Munawar Saeed was present.

Karachi Theatre Festival 2020 opens at Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.

“In this age where people confined to TV, mobile and their homes, the efforts of the President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmad Shah to bring everyone together under one roof is commendable. Art is the greatest weapon in the world and for its promotion, Arts Council’s services are commendable and credit goes to Ahmed Shah” said Provincial Minister for Culture Sardar Ali Shah in his speech on the inauguration of the Karachi Theatre Festival 2020.

“The students of the first semester of Arts Council’s Theatre Academy have given an outstanding performance in street theatre and in view of their hard work and dedication, I would like to announce a prize of Rs. 200,000 as an incentive” Shah added.

The Minister of Culture further said that; “the citizens are tired of watching the same news every day and by normalising street theatre we can bring a new change”.

Speaking to the audience at the festival president Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi Mr. Mohammad Ahmed Shah said; “sadly the theatre culture could not flourish in Pakistan the way it should be. we have organised this theatre festival to keep the tradition of theatre alive”.

It should be noted that the this entertaining Karachi Theatre Festival consists of 24 exciting new theatre plays, performances, interesting discussions, debated and 3 interactive workshops.

Further Ahmed Shah said that; “the artists of the theatre academy of the Arts Council will perform a street theatre every day. People have been confined to their homes for six months we cannot deprive them of happiness”.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be followed strictly throughout the festival. One show will be staged twice each day. Viewers will be allowed to sit in the hall with the gap of one seat.

On the occasion theatre practitioner of Arts Council’s Theatre Academy, Afreen Sehar said that; “the Street theatre is the oldest form of theatre and back then it was used to express the vision of society”.

The annual festival began with the street theatre play ‘Safar’ directed by Afreen Sahar. Later, the play ‘Heer’ by Zain Ahmed was performed on stage.

Khattak Dancers performing during inaugural play ‘Heer’ by Zain Ahmed.

Khattak Dancers performing during inaugural play ‘Heer’ by Zain Ahmed.

Schedule of Karachi Theatre Festival 2020.