Ten-day Artisans-at-work Festival at Lok Virsa:
‘Lok Mela’ aims to achieve Provincial Harmony
Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage), under the patronage of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of Pakistan is holding a 10-day Artisans-at-Work Festival, popularly called ‘Lok Mela’ in Islamabad from today, 3rd to 12th of June, 2011 to amuse and entertain the general public besides doing a noble service of promoting the art. A number of cultural and creative activities will add colour to the festivity of Lok Mela.
Maestros, folk artists and rural musicians from all over Pakistan are going to add grace to it by demonstrating their unique skills. These people will bring with them their creativity in arts, crafts to show the world their real talent and innovation.
Since the major thrust of the festival is the focus on provincial harmony and national integration highlighting the contribution of our people in building future of Pakistan, a large number of provincial contingents have already started arriving in Islamabad to make actual preparations for the festival including erection of their cultural pavilions with traditional facade, arches and embellished gates, for which spacious place has been allocated to them.
The central focus of the festival will be rural areas of Pakistan. The direct beneficiaries are master craftspeople, folk artists, rural musicians and other performers from each and every nook and corner of the country and it will serve to disseminate the dynamic creativity of our countryside and will give rural folk a pride in their identity.
The inaugural ceremony of the festival is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday) 1600 hours at Lok Virsa Open Air Theatre. Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting will be the Chief Guest.