On the 21st day of the World Cultural Festival, music workshops, film screenings, and the Japanese theater play "Salaryman Macbeth" captivated the hearts of the audience.

By: Aziz Khatri

Karachi: The vibrant 21st day of the 39-day “World Culture Festival 2025” brought an array of artistic expressions to the forefront, featuring a music workshop, a film screening, and the Japanese theatre play “Salaryman Macbeth.” The day began with an engaging workshop led by Portuguese singer Ricardo Passos at the Arts Council Music Academy, where students learned about the fundamentals of music. Passos emphasized the importance of the bass drum and taught attendees the basic rhythm of the tambourine, “takara takara,” highlighting the balance required in musical compositions.

In a parallel event, Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, alongside Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah, inaugurated the international art exhibition “Peace & Pieces - Volume 4.” The exhibition showcased a diverse range of talents, attracting a considerable crowd, including Marc Payton, Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs at the French Embassy in Pakistan. Mayor Wahab remarked on the festival's significance: “The World Culture Festival has become the cultural hub of Karachi. This city is a place of love, where art and culture truly connect people.” He expressed gratitude to Ahmed Shah for uniting artists from across the globe and emphasized the collaborative spirit that is enhancing the vibrancy of Karachi.

Among the international artists featured were Kelechi Nwaneri from Nigeria, Adjaratou Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso, and Greek artists Sofia Maria Xenaki and Aglaia Perraki. Pakistani artists, including Amin Gulgee, Akram Spaul, and Bazil Habib, captivated audiences with their compelling works.

The day culminated with a film screening of the award-winning Pakistani drama “Saawan,” directed by Farhan Alam and written by Faryad Khan. The film tells the inspiring story of a child with a disability and highlights themes of humanity and social justice.

The spotlight of the evening was undeniably the Japanese theatre play “Salaryman Macbeth,” a contemporary retelling of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy “Macbeth.” Directed by Kayo Tamura with a script by Tetsuya Fuchigami, the play portrays the rise of an ordinary office worker in modern Japan, whose life takes a dramatic turn after an encounter with witches. It examines how seemingly timid individuals can wield tyrannical power when placed in positions of authority. The performance featured a talented cast, including Kayo Tamura, Nono Miyasaka, and Ryo Nishihara, delivering a captivating theatrical experience that resonated with the audience.

The 21st day of the World Culture Festival undoubtedly highlighted Karachi’s rich cultural tapestry, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating the unfolding events in the days to come.