Lok Virsa plans heritage museums in major cities

DG says working on two open air theatres on the institute’s premises

ISLAMABAD:

National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) Executive Director Talha Ali Khan on Wednesday said that Lok Virsa was planning to establish heritage museum in every major city of the country to preserve local and regional history of cultural heritage.

He said museums preserve research and exhibit the tangible and intangible evidence of society.

Moreover, museums provide visitors a deeper understanding of cultural heritage, besides a gainful entertainment.

"Museums are the custodian of history as much as they offer connections to history so Lok Virsa will soon start working on this project."

He said that he was making efforts to modernise all ranks and cohorts of Lok Virsa by bringing developments in its system. He informed that the first step taken was to merge Monument Library and Lok Virsa Library into one enormous hall at Lok Virsa and would be opened for public to educate them of the great cultural history and heritage of Pakistan rather than providing access only to scholars.

He explained that they have started two separate entry and exit points with strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety precautions.

Talha Ali said that melas and festivities were the main agenda of Lok Virsa and one of the biggest festivities of cultural heritage. While explaining about Lok Mela, he said that Lok Virsa would hold Lok Mela with strict SOPs compliance and health guidelines to contain Covid-19 outbreak.

He went on to mention that they were working on two open air theatres which will be connected the music equipment hall to provide youth and people at large a platform to show their talent.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2020.