A 14-member Guangdong Art Troupe from the People’s Republic of China visited the Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) at Shakarparian on Wednesday.
The art troupe was headed by Department of Culture of Guangdong province of China Deputy Director Yang Shu. Ministry of National Heritage and Integration Federal Secretary Faridullah Khan also accompanied the delegation. On arrival, the delegates were welcomed by traditional drummers (Dholis) attired in colourful regional costumes. The Dholis escorted them to the museum entrance where they were warmly received by the senior officials of Lok Virsa.
Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid received the guests and briefed the delegation about the functioning of Lok Virsa as a leading cultural institution dealing with the documentation, preservation and dissemination of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Pakistan with an extensive network of community-based organizations, regional associations, NGOs, intellectuals, researchers, folk artists and craftspeople in all over the country. He also shed light on the significance of Pakistan’s centuries’ old cultural relations with China.
The delegation was shown several cultural and creative displays at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology, popularly known as the Heritage Museum, at the Lok Virsa, showcasing the folk culture and lifestyles of the people of Pakistan, including the remotest regions.
The members of the visiting delegation took keen interest in the museum hall depicting cultural affinities and link passage with the People’s Republic of China presenting artifacts contributed by the Chinese government as a gift to the people of Pakistan.
They also appreciated the “Truck Art” in Pakistan, a colourful and dazzling art work on vehicles which is found in abundance in the country.
The decorations are not only done on trucks but on buses, mini-buses, rickshaws and even Tongas as well. A short live musical performance by folk artists was also a part of the programme for the visit by the Chinese delegation. The musicians presented famous folk numbers to the enjoyment of the delegates, who danced to the music as well.
Earlier, the delegation also visited the Pakistan Monument Museum, adjacent to National Monument. The delegation visited the Monument Museum which depicts history, struggle for freedom, emergence and development of Pakistan through 3-dimensional dioramic displays.
The museum also presents key achievements of the country after independence, particularly in the field of culture, tourism, education, defence, communication, science & technology, sports, industries, women development and other important & diverse walks of life.
The Chinese guests thanked the Lok Virsa management for the well-conceived programme for their visit. On the visitors’ book, the head of the delegation remarked “colouful culture, marvelous display”.
