French Circus Theatre “Boucan” Steals the Show on the Sixth Day of the World Culture Festival 2025

By: Aziz Khatri

Karachi: The sixth day of the World Culture Festival 2025 was filled with vibrant performances, cultural exchanges, and artistic energy. The day's events featured three training workshops, two discussions, five film screenings, and the much-anticipated French circus theatre performance "Boucan," which captivated audiences with its humor, creativity, and spectacular showcases.

The day began with an art training workshop titled “In Awe of Nature: Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle,” conducted by Swedish mural artist Dominika Forrest at ACAIC. She taught students innovative painting techniques, encouraging them to explore creativity through color and light. President of the Arts Council Mohammad Ahmed Shah, Chairman of the Fine Arts Committee Farrukh Tanveer Shahab, and prominent members of the art community, including Shahid Rassam and Nazar Aslam, attended the workshop. Students learned practical approaches to visual expression, delving into the relationship between color and emotion.

Speaking at the session, Dominika Forrest said, “I am delighted to be here. Art is not just a form of expression; it brings peace of mind and promotes positive thinking. Colors can calm the mind, and through art, we can creatively express our inner thoughts.”

A special discussion session titled “Beyond Borders” focused on dance and theatre as mediums for cross-cultural connection. The panel included UK choreographer Charlene Campbell, Romanian artist Alina, Wendy Jehlen from the USA, Jonah Katz from France, and Bienco Matrix from Congo, moderated by renowned Pakistani dancer Nighat Chaudhry.

Charlene Campbell shared, “Ballet Beyond Borders performs across the world—it wasn’t easy, but we made it happen.” Alina expressed, “Performing with students of the Arts Council Dance Academy was amazing. Their energy and spirit are unmatched anywhere else.” Wendy Jehlen added, “Every person has a story. When I dance, there's always a purpose or story behind it.” Jonah Katz stated, “I’ve spent my entire life in dance, theatre, and music, including five years of street performance. We enjoy involving the audience in our shows.” Bienco Matrix from Congo remarked, “In Congo, art was once seen only as poetry. Some people discouraged us from visiting Pakistan, but coming to Karachi was the right choice. We’ve felt so welcomed here and will share our wonderful experiences back home.”

In another fine arts session, Adrian Bojko from Argentina conducted a workshop teaching painting techniques. President of the Arts Council, Mohammad Ahmed Shah, presented traditional Sindhi Ajraks as tokens of cultural appreciation to Dominika Forrest, Adrian Bojko, Natalia, and Yaz.

The music workshop featured Romanian artist Georgiana Costea Gluga, who introduced students to the art of opera performance. The event was attended by Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan Dan Stoenescu, President Mohammad Ahmed Shah, and consulate officials. President Shah presented Ajraks to the dignitaries, while Ambassador Stoenescu expressed his appreciation, stating, “We are delighted to be part of the World Culture Festival. It’s wonderful to see how warmly Karachi audiences have embraced opera music.”

A special musical session by Scott Willson from the UK paid tribute to the melodies of the 1990s and the legendary Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, blending traditional qawwali rhythms with modern interpretations. The lively DJ performance that followed brought together local and international artists, who danced and celebrated late into the evening.

The evening concluded with the French circus theatre play "Boucan," presented by Crik Biz’Art and directed by Laurie Roger, Jonah Katz, and Remy Bombled. The French performers delivered a spectacular show, skillfully blending circus artistry with theatrical performance.

Using beatboxing to create diverse musical rhythms, the artists presented a lively and imaginative act that won the audience's hearts. The performance, rich in humor, music, and expressive acting, received an overwhelming response from spectators. The hall resonated with applause as the audience celebrated the performers’ dynamic and entertaining display.