Lok Virsa to hold ‘biggest-ever’ folk fair

Executive director says historic cultural event will be organised from November 3 to 12

ISLAMABAD:

The biggest folk fair in the history of the country will be held from November 3 to 12 at Lok Virsa, Malik Uzair Khan, the Executive Director of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), announced Thursday.

“Effective steps will be taken to raise the prestige of Pakistan worldwide,” he said during an interview with The Express Tribune. “The land of Pakistan is rich in ancient and great heritage, natural landscapes, tourism of religious and historical and ancient places, unique culture, fairs, delicious food, wonderful traditions, fine rituals, rare wildlife, colourful flowers and lush trees,” he added.

Khan said the responsibility of folk heritage was an honour for him. “Unfortunately, this has not been addressed in the past. Our country is a land of beautiful and diverse cultural colours and the ever-changing people here share the love,” he said. “I come from a political family, but despite that, I love the culture and heritage of the country,” he added.

The executive director said: “The regional customs and cultural traditions of our country are the backbone of our society. The land of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtuhkhwa, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan is rich in storytelling, folk dialects and famous folklores.”

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He added that the Lok Virsa was for the artists and it would provide facilities to talented people. “If the skilled person is financially stable, he will be better able to pass on his skills to future generations,” he explained.

Delving into the details of his vision regarding the Lok Virsa, he said: “I studied drama from America and have set a target to develop folk heritage on modern lines under which new cinema halls, streaming of virtual museums, promotion of folk artists on social media and bilateral agreements with museums of America, UK and France will be made and a folk heritage academy will be set up to provide training in music and other instruments.”

Responding to a question, he said the historical folk fair will reflect the culture and heritage of Pakistan. “Since its inception, Lok Virsa, the organisation that highlights the colours and beauty of this beautiful land, has played a crucial role in highlighting the country’s culture and traditions and the wonderful traditions of different regions,” he said.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2023.