Zahid Farshori
Karachi: The fifth day of the World Culture Festival 2025 brought together romance, humor, and the grandeur of opera, captivating audiences with a diverse lineup of performances and film screenings at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi.
The day’s program featured the romantic-comedy theatre play Flirts, a spellbinding opera performance by Romanian artist Georgiana Costea Gluga, and the screening of three short films under the “Nordic Europe Spotlight,” including the moving Norwegian production Between Two Worlds.
Nordic films explore identity and resilience
The day began with the “Nordic Europe Spotlight” screenings, which showcased documentaries and short films from Norway, Poland, and Iran. Iranian filmmaker Hamideh Jowadi presented her experimental documentary Pattern, exploring the intersections of femininity, religious rituals, and social norms.
The Norwegian film Between Two Worlds, produced by Iyad Rok Art Production Aburok, portrayed the struggles of a 70-year-old Palestinian man living in Norway as he grapples with memories of Gaza. Presented in Arabic, English, and Norwegian, the film offered a deeply emotional reflection on exile and resilience.
From Poland, filmmaker Mariusz Front presented his experimental feature Double Portrait, which was met with strong appreciation from the audience.
Opera performance mesmerizes Karachi audience
In Auditorium I, opera singer Georgiana Costea Gluga delivered a breathtaking performance of nine classical pieces. Her powerful voice and expressive stage presence won over the audience, who responded with standing ovations and prolonged applause. Georgiana, who also teaches piano and classical singing, described performing in Karachi as an “honour and unforgettable experience.”
President Arts Council praises public participation
Addressing attendees, Arts Council President Mohammad Ahmed Shah expressed gratitude to the people of Karachi for their overwhelming participation.
“I thank the people of Karachi for making this festival a success,” he said. “Artists from all over the world have come here to perform for you — please continue to visit, bring your families and friends. These 40 days of festivities have been specially arranged for you.”
Romantic-comedy play “Flirts” closes the day with laughter
The day concluded with the Urdu romantic-comedy play Flirts, written by Babar Jamal and directed by Uzma Sabeen. The play starred Farhan Alam, Zarka Naz, Hammad Khan, Rachna Kriplani, and Sadaf Ejaz, running for 90 minutes to a full house.
Set amid secrets and tangled relationships, Flirts follows Ayaan, who sneaks out to meet his lover, unaware that his wife Hania is involved with his best friend Feroz. The arrival of Feroz’s wife, Afshin, adds to the chaos, leading to a cascade of comic misunderstandings.
The witty dialogues, sharp timing, and lively performances kept audiences laughing throughout. The play’s humorous take on love, deception, and modern relationships provided a fitting and light-hearted finale to a day that celebrated global art and cultural diversity.
