United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Director Dr Kim Gwang-Jo on Saturday paid a visit to Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage) here at Shakaparian along with
his entourage.
The visit was coordinated by the UNESCO office in the capital. On arrival, the distinguished delegate was received by senior museum officers of Lok Virsa and took him to various displays at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology, popularly known as the Heritage Museum, depicting Pakistan’s cultural traditions and lifestyles of the people and several link passages presenting cultural influences and affinities with other friendly countries.
He was explained about the functioning and role of Lok Virsa as a leading cultural institution in Pakistan under public sector dealing with documentation, preservation and dissemination of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage with an extensive network of community-based organisations, regional associations, NGOs, intellectuals, researchers, folk artists, master artisans and, above all, the citizens of the country.
Dr Kim Gwang-Jo took keen interest in the museum displays, particularly the dioramas on ‘Zardozi work’, needle work on bridal dresses, silk thread gallery, display of traditional costumes, architectural crafts such as mirror work, fresco work and tile mosaic work and beautiful wooden carved doors collected from old houses (Havelis) from different localities in rural Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A live musical performance with folk artists and rural musicians was also an integral part of the visit programme. The UNESCO delegation highly enjoyed the visit programme.
While exchanging his views about the visit, the UNESCO representative greatly lauded Lok Virsa’s efforts. He said, “Pakistan has a magnificent and rich culture, which has been beautifully reflected in this museum. Lok Virsa is doing a great service to the Pakistani nation by preserving their culture in such a professional manner.”
