Karachi offers several cultural activity centers including cultural centers of four different countries. The foreign cultural centers provide a variety of services such as language classes and library facilities as well as setting for other activities e.g. drama performances, poetry reading, chess etc.

Alliance Francaise

Plot ST-1, Block 8, Kehkashan, Clifton, (tel. 586-2864, 587-3402; fax 587-4302). Open (Office): 9:30 am-l:00 pm, 4:00-7:00 pm. Open (Education & Examination Section): 9:30 am-ll:00 am, 4:00-8:00 pm.

Popularly known as the Alliance, the French Cultural Centre is an institution with independent and non profit status. It has been instrumental in introducing and promoting French language and culture. Its library with 15,000 books and video library are aimed at fluency in the French language. It invites cultural troupes from France regularly to present puppet & mime shows, plays, classical music, contemporary dance, music concerts etc. Non-members are allowed to attend these functions on payment of entrance fee.

Arts Council of Pakistan

Corner M.R. Kiyani Road (Ingle Road) and Strachan Road, (tel. 263-3105, 263-4770, 263-5108). Open: 9:00 am-5:00 pm.

Housed in a four storey building, the Arts Council promotes several cultural and literary activities. Its ground floor, raised on pilotis, and the attached garden are successfully used for discussion forums, fairs and handicrafts exhibitions, music recitals, folk/street theater etc.

The Galleries on upper floors are used for periodic exhibition of art work, photography etc. while the ground floor houses a book shop and a restaurant. Central Institute of Arts and Crafts is situated in the building and conducts drawing and painting classes (tel. 263 2211). Although its open air auditorium is still not complete. Arts Council arranges literary evenings, music recitals, dance and theater performances and street theater events. Keep a look out for announcements in newspapers for events and functions being organized by the Council.

Finance & Trade Centre (FTC) Auditorium

Shara-e-Faisal, (tel. 567-5432, 521-5960).

Although not an art gallery or a cultural center, an auditorium was included by the architects of the building to provide a facility where at least modest-scale performances could be held. Another aim was to ensure that the enormous office building, which is full of activity during the day, is alive during evening as well. The auditorium is often used for cultural activities—from music recitals to dance and theatre performances. Keep a look out for announcements of events being held there.

Goethe Institute

256 Sarwar Shaheed Road, (Tel: 568-3124, 568-4811; fax 568-3413). Open (Office): 9:00 am-5:00 p.m. Open (Library): 12:00 noon-5:00 p.m.

German Cultural Centre was established in 1964 and provides German language classes. It has a library consisting of 8,000 books, cassettes and video films. It promotes inter-cultural exchanges and organizes different programs and activities including drama and musical functions for members and friends. Non-members are allowed on payment of an entrance fee.

Ikebana International Floral Society

Japanese Consulate General, 233 Raja Ghazanfar All Khan Road (Somerset Street), (tel. 568-1331; fax 568-4627).

The Society is supported by the Consulate General of Japan and has played a major role in training a large number of Pakistanis in the unique flower arrangement art of Ikebana. The courses are conducted by Asifa Ataka, a master in this art, while visiting Ikebana masters from Japan also conduct classes.

Pakistan American Cultural Centre (PACC)

11, Fatima Jinnah Road (Bonus Road), (Tel: 512-918,514-332,515-305; fax 567-0516). Open (Office): 9:00 am-5:00 p.m. Open (Education Section): 8:00 am-7:45 pm.

Popularly known as PACC, it is a cultural organization and considers itself bi-national in the true sense of the word. Established in 1959 to promote cultural heritage of Pakistan and United States of America, over the years it has actively served the educational and cultural needs of the two countries.

Today PACC promotes a variety of cultural activities such as art exhibitions, theatre, dance and music programs, poetry recitals, films, lectures, seminars and forums.

English at various levels is taught to students who register for three trimester terms and to employees of organizations at the latter's locations. Non-members are allowed to attend various cultural activities at PACC but are some times required to pay an entrance fee.

The British Council

20, Bleak House Road, P.O. Box 10410, (tel. 111 -424-424; fax 111 -425-425). Open (Office): 9:00 am-4:00 p.m. Open (Education & Examination Section): 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Open (Library): 9:00 am-7:00 pm.

The Council is an independent body partly funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of International Development (DFID). It promotes cultural, educational, and technical cooperation between Britain and Pakistan, and arranges seminars, conferences, exhibitions on varying topics.

The Library (with 20,000 books and periodicals including those for children) and Information Services provide a modem and user friendly environment. The Examination Services Section supervises examinations for a number of British academic and professional bodies. Non-members are welcome to visit the library, attend arts and cultural activities and use the education counseling services, which is a one-stop centre for prospective students interested in British Education.

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