‘Cultural exchanges really help’: Pakistan launches monthlong theatre festival uniting local, foreign troupes
KARACHI: Pakistan on Friday launched a monthlong theatre festival that brings together local and international troupes, with foreign performers saying such exchanges helped them see different perspectives about art and culture.
Several artistes, celebrities were in attendance at the red carpet of the Pakistan Literature Festival, which is being attended by seven international and 27 national theatre groups. The launch was followed by a performance of Salman Shahid’s comedy drama, ‘Patriot and Abdullah.’
Foreign performers from the United States, Germany, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Egypt have been part of the event that would feature 45 plays over the course of 30 days, in addition to talks and workshops on theatre. Plays in English, Urdu, Sindhi and Punjabi will take centerstage at the “first-of-a-kind” festival, according to organizers.
American theatre group, Uplift Physical Theatre, has come to Pakistan to perform ‘Through The Waves’ on the second day of the festival. The three-women show will use the language of acrobatics, dance and movement to tell a story of a woman who loses her husband in a car accident, according to Hannah Gaff, who is part of the cast. Gaff came to Pakistan earlier this year as well to teach physical theatre to students of the Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) that is hosting the event.
“When I came to Pakistan before, I was transformed. The way I teach, the way I interact, the way I perform. Cultural exchanges really help us open our eyes to see different perspectives and kind of allow us fresh eyes on our lives,” Gaff told Arab News.
“I am very excited to see Pakistani theatre at the festival so I can learn more about how theatre is made here.”
The idea behind the festival is to portray a “soft image” of Pakistan and to bring some respite to masses in difficult economic times, according to ACP President Mohammad Ahmed Shah.
“This is the first time we are having a theatre festival of this scale with international partnerships. We have tried to create diversity as well as unity. We want to send out an image of Pakistan that reflects its people want to prosper despite difficult circumstances,” Shah told Arab News at the opening ceremony.
“There is so much inflation and people are so stressed [these days]. The news going out of Pakistan through [TV] channels and social media is all negative. The idea [behind the festival] is to give them an opportunity and reason to smile, and send out a soft image of Pakistan.”
Shah said the topics of plays at the festival would range from social, political to taboos that are otherwise brushed under the carpet.
Egyptian artist, Ahmed Mooosa, said the festival seemed to be an “amazing” event and he was looking forward to the performances.
“Honestly, people are so amazing. I don’t feel like I’m not home. I can relate to a lot of stuff here in Pakistan. There are a lot of common words between Urdu and Arabic. And I know Arabic. I know ‘Shukriya’ (thank you), for instance, and a lot of other words,” said Moosa, who has come to Pakistan for the first time.
“I tried a lot of Pakistani food and it was all delicious. The guys warned me about it being spicy but I think it’s okay. I want to see as many performances [at the festival] as I can. I think this festival is amazing. You learn from each other. Sharing the knowledge and art is very important. It’s a very creative thing.”
The opening ceremony of the Pakistan Theatre Festival was a star-studded event, with industry veterans Jawed Sheikh, Behroze Sabzwari and Usman Peerzada among others in attendance.
“Festivals are great. A lot of people learn a lot of things. The professionals who are in the business of theatre, acting and directing, they get ideas [and] learn. You develop the audiences because you are doing a very selective theatre. And in that, you develop the aesthetics of the viewer,” Peerzada told Arab News.
“Festivals bring the world to you. Theatre is a remarkable art form all over the world. We will be able to reach there if activities like these are generated. It will give an incentive and an idea and concept to people who watch it.”
Leading actors and directors from the world of theatre in Pakistan have all come together to participate in the longest-running theatre festival till date. The ticket costs Rs500 ($1.6).
“Theatre has been running in Pakistan since 1947 but they have mostly been tragedies. In this festival, there are comedy plays too,” Anwar Maqsood, a prominent Pakistani playwright, told Arab News.
“It’s good to have such a huge [theatre] festival happening for the first time.”