LAHORE, Nov 11: The 10-day World Performing and Visual Arts Festival will begin at the Alhamra Cultural Complex on Nov 19.

Speaking at a news conference here on Friday, the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop directors, Usman Peerzada and Faizan Peerzada, said the income of 10,000 tickets would go to the earthquake victims besides contribution from festival sponsors. Some 13 shows in all disciplines of arts would feature every day. An informal opening of the festival will be held on Nov 18.

APP adds: Giving details of the 21st edition of the festival, Faizaan Pirzada said this year the event would showcase over 600 performers from 33 countries, including music, dance, film and puppetry.

Music includes rock, pop, folk, jazz, sufi soul and fusion. Dance performances feature dancers from India, Pakistan and other countries.

Film is the new edition to this year’s festival. According to Faizaan, 60 movies include feature, short film and documentaries.

He said that various government departments, including Pakistan National Council of the Arts, were actively supporting the festival.