Heritage Shop opens its doors to public

Facility offers CDs of folk artists, documentaries, books on folklore

ISLAMABAD: Heritage Shop opened its doors to the public at National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) after a ceremony on Monday.

“Entering a new phase of revitalisation and enduring the tradition of promoting Pakistan’s rich culture, Lok Virsa has commenced the first of its kind Heritage Shop at its premises,” said a statement issued by the institute.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Maj Gen (Retd) LKJC Parera and renowned artiste and board member of Lok Virsa Farooq Qaiser were present on the occasion.

“Lok Virsa is quite a spectacle today, seeing students come from different parts of the country to visit the place gives me great pleasure,” Parera said. It is a place where heritage and cultural can be experienced in its true essence.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said the project was conceptualised and executed with an aim to promote and safeguard traditional values. “Hopefully the visitors would like this corner and get connected with their rich cultural background so it is easily transformed to next generation,” she added.

She said that Heritage Shop would provide an opportunity to the visitors to buy the videos and CDs of performances and documentaries on renowned folk artists, books on folklore and Lok Virsa’s publications of their choice.

She urged the public to come Lok Virsa to rekindle their cultural values. “Come here with families to relax and educate yourself culturally,” she added.

Speaking on the occasion, prominent Pakistani artiste, columnist, TV show director and puppeteer Farooq Qaiser said under the current leadership, the Lok Virsa achieved many milestones and introducing Heritage Shop was one of them.

He praised the efforts of Lok Virsa in preserving the indigenous folk culture of Pakistan in such a beautiful manner.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2017.