KARACHI: The variety of creative programmes that the ongoing World Culture Festival organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan has put together came to prominence on Thursday evening when in the span of an hour two entirely different but equally engaging events were held.

The first one was Flavors of the UAE — A Culinary and Cultural Journey held in the Jaun Elia lawns of the council. A large tent was put up on the right side of the big space under which a comfy sitting arrangement had been made. Next to it was the food spread where lay some Emirati sweets and rich, fruity tea made with dates.

The stage was placed in front with a screen. It ran a video depicting the culture of the UAE. Down on the ground things became lively when UAE Consul General Dr Bakheet Ateeq Al Remeithi appeared along with the council’s President Ahmed Shah and Culture Minister Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah. Soon they began to dance to Middle Eastern tunes.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, Mr Shah said our brotherly country, the UAE, has always helped us in difficult circumstances. “We have a relationship with the Emirates from the 1960s. Today, Dr Bakheet, for the World Culture Festival, has brought the UAE’s delicacies and music. We thank him.”

Minister Zulfiqar Shah welcomed the consul-general and other dignitaries present at the council. “More than 40 countries are taking part in this festival. This sends a good message that Gulf countries, like always, are working with us. The language of culture has no borders.”

Dr Bakheet said the UAE is taking part in the event with its traditional culture. “Pakistan, especially the culture of Sindh, is very hospitable. In the coming two months, we’re going to hold events involving both countries, in collaboration with the government of Sindh and Ahmed Shah. Events such as the festival project a soft image of Pakistan abroad.”

Mime show

The second event on Thursday evening was a two-person mime show titled Inspiritus performed by Sierra Camille and Dan Griffiths from the US. It was a nice little effort highlighting, through American and French mime traditions, the importance of having something or someone inspirational in life. One can get inspired by anything at any point in time that seems to be the message of the whole creative exercise.

The programme was divided into eight small segments. In the first introductory piece, Griffiths engaged the audience by pretending to throw a ball at them and expecting them to return it. The audience responded very well. A few minutes into the act, he was joined by his partner, Camille.

The next pieces involved a wall, a bag, appearance as clowns with red noses, an umbrella, a story called ‘first love’, the balloon (taught to Griffiths by his teacher) and the longest piece of the performance which was to do with the imagination of an artist. All of it was well received by the audience.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2024