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ISLAMABAD, November 8 (APP): The much-anticipated celebrations of “Lok Mela” commenced at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Friday, marking its 50th anniversary. The festival opened with a vibrant display of Pakistan’s diverse cultural heritage, featuring provincial pavilions, artisan stalls, and traditional performances.
Hassan Nasir Jamy, Secretary of the National Heritage and Culture Division, attended as the chief guest and officially inaugurated the golden jubilee celebrations. The ceremony, held at Lok Virsa’s open-air theater, was attended by diplomats, provincial representatives, artisans, artists, musicians, media personnel, and members of the public from across the country.
In his keynote address, Jamy praised the impressive arrangements and commended Lok Virsa for its vital role in portraying Pakistan’s authentic cultural image to the world. He reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting Pakistan’s heritage globally and emphasized the importance of the Youth Pavilion in empowering young people and countering extremism.
Muzaffar Ali Burki, Executive Director of Lok Virsa, highlighted the significance of Lok Mela in fostering cultural unity among Pakistan’s federating units. He underscored the event’s role in empowering artisans, artists, and musicians, while also promoting Pakistan’s rich traditions. Burki expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia for their participation in the International Pavilion.
As part of the inaugural ceremony, Lok Virsa honored two distinguished artisans: Sheikh Muhammad Yusuf and Ms. Sania from Kailash. They were presented with a turban and shawl, respectively, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to traditional crafts.
The 50th Lok Mela, scheduled from November 8 to 17, promises to be bigger than ever, featuring musical nights, youth and international pavilions, and a wide range of cultural festivities. Around 500 artisans, musicians, performers, and entrepreneurs are expected to participate, offering visitors traditional music and dance performances, craft workshops, local cuisine, and more.
The festival aims to promote Pakistan’s indigenous folk heritage, strengthen national harmony, and provide a much-needed platform for master artisans, folk artists, musicians, and dancers to showcase their skills at the national level. Organized in collaboration with provincial culture departments, all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have confirmed their participation with dedicated cultural pavilions.
Main highlights of the Lok Mela include: provincial cultural pavilions, artisans at work, an exotic craft bazaar, international cultural pavilion, youth cultural pavilion, folk musical nights, and traditional dance performances.
