Birmingham: The official press and media launch for the Spirit of Pakistan Festival 2026 took place today, Monday 18 May 2026, at the Lord Mayor’s Suite, Birmingham Council House.
Hosted by Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal MBE, the event unveiled plans for the 2026 festival programme, one of Birmingham’s largest celebrations of Pakistani and British Pakistani arts, culture and sport.
Presentations were delivered by Saima Suleman, Chair of Spirit of Pakistan Festival; Mukhtar Dar, Festival Artistic Director; Deborah Kermode, CEO and Artistic Director of Midlands Arts Centre (MAC); and Fahad Amjad, Consul General of Pakistan in Birmingham.
Taking place across Birmingham from 1–14 August 2026, the festival is produced by Kalaboration Arts and will feature music, spoken word, comedy, visual arts, film, literature, fashion, food, sport and community events across venues and public spaces throughout the city.
The festival is inspired by the vision and legacy of the late Councillor Waseem Zaffar, founder of Spirit of Pakistan, whose commitment to culture, representation, community empowerment and youth engagement helped shape the ambition for a major city-wide celebration of Pakistani heritage, creativity and achievement.
Saima Suleman, Chair of Spirit of Pakistan Festival, said:
“Spirit of Pakistan celebrates creativity, heritage, community and inclusion while recognising the important role that arts and sport play in bringing people together. Inspired by the vision and legacy of the late Councillor Waseem Zaffar, the festival showcases the richness of Pakistani culture and creates opportunities for communities and young people to connect, participate and feel inspired.”
Fahad Amjad, Consul General of Pakistan in Birmingham, said:
“Spirit of Pakistan offers a dynamic platform for the British Pakistani community to celebrate its heritage, reconnect with its roots and share its story with pride. The festival also strengthens cultural ties between Birmingham and cities across Pakistan through artistic collaboration, cultural exchange and shared community experiences that celebrate the strong relationship between the UK and Pakistan.”
Mukhtar Dar, Artistic Director of Spirit of Pakistan Festival, said:
“Spirit of Pakistan is a celebration of creativity, heritage, sporting excellence and contemporary cultural expression. The festival creates opportunities for artists, athletes, communities and audiences to connect through shared cultural experiences while showcasing Birmingham as a leading international city for diverse arts, culture and sport.”
The festival is expected to attract between 20,000 and 30,000 attendees and will showcase more than 100 artists, performers, athletes and cultural practitioners from the UK and Pakistan.
Programme highlights announced at today’s launch included:
• A finale concert at Birmingham Town Hall featuring internationally renowned Pakistani artists and Qawwali performances presented in partnership with SAY Arts
• Film screenings, including the award-winning documentary Indus Blues
• Comedy performances from leading British Pakistani comedians
• Community workshops exploring calligraphy, truck art, poetry and storytelling
• Photography exhibitions and podcasts celebrating Pakistani Brummie stories
• New commissions and international collaborations with cultural organisations in Pakistan
• A contemporary fashion showcase and Mango Food Festival
• Community sports activities, youth engagement programmes, exhibition matches, and appearances from high-profile British Pakistani sporting figures and ambassadors
Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) will serve as the principal festival hub alongside Birmingham Town Hall, Soul City Arts and community venues across the city.
The festival is guided by a steering group chaired by Saima Suleman alongside civic and business leaders, supporting its ambition to strengthen community cohesion, increase cultural participation, encourage youth engagement and enhance Birmingham’s cultural profile nationally and internationally.
Media representatives, arts professionals, sporting organisations, community organisations and invited guests attended the launch event.
