International groups such as China's Land Staging Theatre Company and France's La Volga showcased productions like 'Ugly Dad' and 'Monsieur et Madame O', exploring societal conflicts and human relationships.

The Punjab Maas International Theatre Festival 2025, held at Lahore's Alhamra Arts Council from October 10 to 15, features a diverse lineup of performances, workshops, and cultural activities from seven countries, emphasizing global and local artistic exchange.

This major event celebrates cultural diversity through international and national performances, panel discussions, and open-air shows, reaffirming Lahore's status as Pakistan's cultural capital.

Organized by the Lahore Arts Council with support from the Punjab government, the festival aims to promote cross-cultural dialogue and strengthen Lahore's reputation as a hub for arts and culture.

The festival was inaugurated by Punjab's Secretary for Information and Culture, Tahir Raza Hamdani, highlighting the universal power of theatre to connect cultures and tell human stories.

Throughout the event, panel discussions on topics like 'Social Change Through Theatre' and 'Society and Performing Arts' foster dialogue on theatre's role in social transformation and storytelling.

A key panel titled 'Theatre and Mother Languages' emphasized the importance of indigenous languages in theatre for preserving culture, fostering emotional authenticity, and nurturing identity among younger generations.

Performances address social themes, exemplified by plays like 'Yeh Aurtein Kahan Gaein?' by Shahid Nadeem, which explores women's invisibility in social and political narratives, reflecting societal issues in Pakistan.

Workshops led by international facilitators, including Christian H Schroter's 'Crossing the Boundaries of Language,' demonstrated theatre's universality beyond words through gestures and human expression, enhancing local artists' skills.

As the festival concludes, performances by university drama groups and collaborative pieces like 'Shadows of War' from Tunisia and Trinity School Lahore highlight themes of unity and shared humanity, reaffirming theatre's role as a cultural connector.

The festival atmosphere is enriched by food stalls, artisan crafts, and open-air stages, transforming Alhamra into a vibrant cultural hub that celebrates both global and Pakistani arts.