Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage) and the Ministry of National Heritage and Integration, is holding its annual folk festival, popularly called as the Lok Mela, from today (Friday).
Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid said the opening ceremony is scheduled for today Friday, 6 April at 11 am.
Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan will formally open the festival and will also perform the dastarbandi or chardarposhi of an established master artisan according to the Lok Virsa tradition.
The festival aims to revive endangered folk arts, crafts and music as well as to promote traditional practitioners associated with Pakistan’s folk heritage.
It will serve to disseminate the dynamic creativity of our countryside and give rural folk pride in their identity.
The focus of the 10-day festival is on provincial harmony and national integration, while highlighting the contributions of our artisans in building Pakistan.
Hundreds of master artisans, folk artists, rural musicians and folk dancers from all over Pakistan, including from the far-flung regions will participate in the festival, bringing with them their creativity in arts, crafts and innovation and win recognition for their talent at the national level.
“This unique event has become a symbol of the federation’s recognition and patronage of our rich cultural diversity and active participation of the people of Pakistan,” Javaid said.
The festival will feature artisans-at-work exhibition, especially designed pavilions depicting the culture and traditions of all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK, a silk route pavilion, exotic craft bazaar, stalls by non-governmental organisations, folk song and dance performances, musical concerts and special attractions for children and families.
The festival will remain open daily from 11am to 11pm and will continue till April 15 at the Lok Virsa Complex, Shakarparian.
