ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa is all set to capture cultural glimpses of Pakistan here from April 1 to 10 through ten-day Lok Mela – the annual folk festival of Pakistan.
Started in the year 1982, this unique event has become a symbol of the federation’s recognition and patronage to the rich cultural diversity and active participation of the people of Pakistan.
The festival would feature artisans-at-work exhibition, provincial cultural pavilions, folkloric song and dance ensembles, rural musicians, public organizations and NGOs, general assembly of craftspeople, traditional cuisine, exotic craft bazaar, inaugural and award ceremonies and many other attractions, said the organizers.
The main thrust of the 10-day festival is the focus on provincial harmony and national integration, highlighting the contribution of Pakistani people in building future Pakistan. Artisans and artists from all parts of the country will come to the festival, bringing with them their creativity in arts, crafts and innovation.
With central focus on rural Pakistan, the direct beneficiaries of the festival are master artisans, musicians and other performers from the rural areas and remote regions of Pakistan. The festival would serve to disseminate the dynamic creativity of our countryside and to give rural folk a pride in their identity.
Provincial pavilions have always been a major attraction of the festival at Islamabad. This year too, all the provinces will participate in Lok Mela-2016 by sending their contingents of craftspeople, folk artists, musicians, performers and folk dance groups.
Lok Virsa will allocate space to each province for erection of “provincial pavilions” at the festival grounds depicting their culture, arts, crafts, rituals, ethnic foods and indigenous traditions.
The main objective to hold this folk festival is to introduce the young generation with cultural heritage and rich traditions of Pakistan as well as keep live the dying arts and crafts.
Lok Virsa being a national torch bearer for the promotion and preservation of intangible and tangible cultural heritage of the country believes in promoting activities which aim to unify cultural diversity and help bring the communities closer, the organizers said.
