AIMS TO EXPAND ITS WINGS TO THE US, CANADA, UAE, AND EUROPE

by FIZZA ABBAS

Started 16 years ago in Karachi, Pakistan Youth Festival is now going global, with events scheduled to take place in New York, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Dubai, London, Paris, and Berlin.

President ACP Muhammad Ahmad Shah while exclusively talking to MAG revealed his big plans for the Youth festival and said that he wanted to take it to a global level.

“Pakistan Youth Festival 2023 is an effort to build bridges between people living in Pakistan to those in the West, hence this year we have given it the theme "Global connectivity through culture".

The youth festival has given a platform to aspiring artists to showcase their talent and skills. Talking about it President ACP said, “I want to create equal opportunities for all artists, irrespective of their caste, creed, color or gender through this event”.

He further added that “Our country is full of talent but most of them don’t have the means to showcase their talent, and this is where Pakistan Youth Festival helps! Through it, we attract talent from all over the country, help them unleash their talents, expand their reach and explore better opportunities.

He also elaborated on the result of the previous festivals: “The talent that emerged in previous youth festivals – be it painters, actors or singers – are performing worldwide, so you can see the kind of talent we bring and nurture through these festivals at Arts Council.”

The first edition of the festival ran until 29th January 2023 in Karachi, focusing on all mediums of art, ranging from dance, painting, theatre, quizzes, workshops, essay writing competitions, photography, and painting exhibitions.

The closing ceremony of the festival was inaugurated with a spectacular musical performance by the renowned Jambroz Band. The cash prizes and awards were distributed to the winners of ten different categories of competitions. The two special competitions of painting and photography were also held.

Special awards were given to the special children who participated in the Special Children's Festival. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Pakistan Youth Festival, Minister of Culture and Education Sardar Ali Shah said that 64 percent of Pakistan's population consists of youth but unfortunately no policy has been devised on a national level for their welfare.

“We need to educate ourselves that our children do not only have to be doctors, engineers, or officers, but they can also be Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, and Hadiqa Kayani", the minister said.

He said that ACP president Ahmed Shah has made a Hub of culture in the Arts Council. He added, "I don't see any institution in the whole country which is working like this for the promotion of arts and culture.”

On the last day of the Pakistan Youth Festival, Ali Azmat, Sahir Ali Bagga, Ahmed Jahanzeb, Natasha Baig, Wahab Bugti, Ahsan Bari, Arman Rahim, and Afaq Adnan lit up the festival with the magic of their voices and received applause from the audience.

Youth festivals offer a platform for youngsters to express themselves creatively. This can be incredibly empowering and can help artists to build self-confidence and self-esteem. These festivals also foster a sense of community, by bringing together young people from different backgrounds and cultures, creating a sense of community and belonging. This is especially important for young people who may feel isolated or disconnected.

Talented youngsters who want to develop their skills in areas such as music, dance, theater, and art but may not have access to these types of opportunities in their daily lives, can also benefit from these fully-funded festivals.

During these unprecedented times, we have youngsters searching for platforms to share their ideas and perspectives but due to a lack of resources or platforms, often end up either fully giving up on their ideas or saving them for later. But when events like these take place, our ‘young stunners’ get to interact with folks and literary figures from all walks of life and fields, which inspires them to continue collecting the bricks for their buildings.

Thanks to the Arts Council Karachi has always played an instrumental role in promoting new talent by organizing several cultural and artistic events throughout the year, such as music and dance performances, theater productions, art exhibitions, and literary events. It also provides facilities for artists and arts organizations, including a theater, art galleries, and studios, and manages a library and archive of Pakistani art and literature.

Pakistan Youth Festival 2023 is a testament to their literary activities. It supports and promotes the arts, by providing funding and resources to young artists and performers, which can be an important step in preserving cultural heritage and encouraging the next generation of artists. The youth festival will also foster a sense of civic engagement and encourage young people to participate in the democratic process.


WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR A YOUTH FESTIVAL?

Started 16 years ago in Karachi, Pakistan Youth Festival is now going global, with events scheduled to take place in New York, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago, Toronto, Dubai, London, Paris, and Berlin.

President ACP Muhammad Ahmad Shah while exclusively talking to MAG revealed his big plans for the Youth festival and said that he wanted to take it to a global level.

“Pakistan Youth Festival 2023 is an effort to build bridges between people living in Pakistan to those in the West, hence this year we have given it the theme "Global connectivity through culture".

The youth festival has given a platform to aspiring artists to showcase their talent and skills. Talking about it President ACP said, “I want to create equal opportunities for all artists, irrespective of their caste, creed, color or gender through this event”.

He further added that “Our country is full of talent but most of them don’t have the means to showcase their talent, and this is where Pakistan Youth Festival helps! Through it, we attract talent from all over the country, help them unleash their talents, expand their reach and explore better opportunities.

He also elaborated on the result of the previous festivals: “The talent that emerged in previous youth festivals – be it painters, actors or singers – are performing worldwide, so you can see the kind of talent we bring and nurture through these festivals at Arts Council.”

The first edition of the festival ran until 29th January 2023 in Karachi, focusing on all mediums of art, ranging from dance, painting, theatre, quizzes, workshops, essay writing competitions, photography, and painting exhibitions.

The closing ceremony of the festival was inaugurated with a spectacular musical performance by the renowned Jambroz Band. The cash prizes and awards were distributed to the winners of ten different categories of competitions. The two special competitions of painting and photography were also held.

Special awards were given to the special children who participated in the Special Children's Festival. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Pakistan Youth Festival, Minister of Culture and Education Sardar Ali Shah said that 64 percent of Pakistan's population consists of youth but unfortunately no policy has been devised on a national level for their welfare.

“We need to educate ourselves that our children do not only have to be doctors, engineers, or officers, but they can also be Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, and Hadiqa Kayani", the minister said.

He said that ACP president Ahmed Shah has made a Hub of culture in the Arts Council. He added, "I don't see any institution in the whole country which is working like this for the promotion of arts and culture.”

On the last day of the Pakistan Youth Festival, Ali Azmat, Sahir Ali Bagga, Ahmed Jahanzeb, Natasha Baig, Wahab Bugti, Ahsan Bari, Arman Rahim, and Afaq Adnan lit up the festival with the magic of their voices and received applause from the audience.

Youth festivals offer a platform for youngsters to express themselves creatively. This can be incredibly empowering and can help artists to build self-confidence and self-esteem. These festivals also foster a sense of community, by bringing together young people from different backgrounds and cultures, creating a sense of community and belonging. This is especially important for young people who may feel isolated or disconnected.

Talented youngsters who want to develop their skills in areas such as music, dance, theater, and art but may not have access to these types of opportunities in their daily lives, can also benefit from these fully-funded festivals.

During these unprecedented times, we have youngsters searching for platforms to share their ideas and perspectives but due to a lack of resources or platforms, often end up either fully giving up on their ideas or saving them for later. But when events like these take place, our ‘young stunners’ get to interact with folks and literary figures from all walks of life and fields, which inspires them to continue collecting the bricks for their buildings.

Thanks to the Arts Council Karachi has always played an instrumental role in promoting new talent by organizing several cultural and artistic events throughout the year, such as music and dance performances, theater productions, art exhibitions, and literary events. It also provides facilities for artists and arts organizations, including a theater, art galleries, and studios, and manages a library and archive of Pakistani art and literature.

Pakistan Youth Festival 2023 is a testament to their literary activities. It supports and promotes the arts, by providing funding and resources to young artists and performers, which can be an important step in preserving cultural heritage and encouraging the next generation of artists. The youth festival will also foster a sense of civic engagement and encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. •

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