The Arts Council Pakistan, Karachi, in collaboration with the Ministry for Youth Affairs, arranged a week long programme ‘I am Karachi – Youth Festival’ on its premises recently. The festive look attracted a large number of youngsters, with nearly 9,000 participants taking part in the seven-day event open to all falling in the age group of 8-35 years.
The registration process which had begun a month earlier gave ample time to the participants to hone their individual talents in the various creative fields. The seven segments consisted of photography, painting, quiz, speeches, essay writing, singing and drama presentation. Workshops were arranged side by side, along with a youth mushaira and a seminar on International Youth Day.
At the opening ceremony the Minister for Youth Affairs, Faisal Sabzwari and the legendary squash player Jehangir Khan, inaugurated the festival and photography and painting exhibitions displaying the works of candidates. A 100-foot mural painting was also made and exhibited on the same day.
Arts Council Pakistan, Karachi President, Mohammad Ahmad Shah said that the main purpose of the festival was to promote ownership for Karachi and homogeneity through healthy competition.