Lok Mela opens at Lok Virsa Complex

The folk festival, popularly known as “Lok Mela” organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), National Heritage and Culture Division, Government of Pakistan will commence on Friday, November 25, 2022, at the Lok Virsa Complex, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian, Islamabad.

In this regard, a curtain- raiser on Lok Mela-2022 was held at Lok Virsa. Fareena Mazhar, Federal Secretary, National Heritage & Culture Division along with Shahzad Durrani, Executive Director Lok Virsa, briefed the media about the salient features of the 10-day festival. Other senior officers of the Lok Virsa were also present on the occasion.

Secretary, National Heritage & Culture Division stated that the promotion and perpetuation of Pakistan’s folk heritage are central to the basic objectives of the festival. She also stated that this festival serves to strengthen national harmony and integration among all federating units through their effective participation.

This festival provides an opportunity to master artisans, folk artists and folk musicians from all over Pakistan to demonstrate their skills and recognition of their talent at the national level. It also helps ameliorate poverty among master artisans by providing them with an opportunity to sell their products directly to the public without the involvement of middlemen.

Around 500 master artisans, folk artists, and folk musicians are participating in this Mela from all over the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2022.