Al-Hamra Cultural Complex will echo to the sound of drumbeats, jingles, songs and footsteps for the next ten days as the World Performing and Visual Arts Festival bursts into action here from November 19.
The 21st edition of the festival will showcase over 600 artistes and performers from 33 countries who will present a wide panorama of cultural activities including music, dance, film and puppetry.
Musical fare will include rock, pop, folk, jazz, Sufi, soul and fusion, while dance performances will be presented by artistes from India, Pakistan and other countries.
Film is the new addition to this year's festival. A total of 60 movies including feature films, short films and documentaries will be screened, offering a truly intensive cinematic experience.
The festival has been dedicated to the earthquake victims and according to Usman Pirzada, CEO Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, part of the proceeds from the festival would go towards the rehabilitation and relief funds for the October 8 quake-victims.
Various government departments including Pakistan National Council of Arts are actively supporting the festival, which will go a long way in projecting the soft image of the country.
Some of the noted artistes to feature in the festival include classical dancer Nighat Chaudhry, pop singer Fakhir, a troupe from Ryan Foundation, India, the Wrongsize of UK, FRYD music and Corrin Camps from Norway, folk singer Sher Miandad Khan, and Helene Erikson from Germany.