ISLAMABAD, Apr 7 (APP): The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa kicked off the mega cultural event of twin cities, Lok Mela, the Annual Folk Festival of Pakistan in a colorful ceremony here Friday.
Folk Festival of Pakistan aims to capture the cultural glimpses of Pakistan for ten days at beautifully designed provincial pavilions.
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, said Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Executive Director, LokVirsa
The festival features artisans-at-work exhibition, provincial cultural pavilions, folkloric song and dance ensembles, rural musicians, general assembly of craftspeople, traditional cuisine, exotic craft bazaar, inaugural and award ceremonies and many other attractions.
The main thrust of the ten-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 have brought 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, she said.
APP/Cdra/anm
