Lok Mela 2024 promises exciting cultural journey

Hopes to bring together 500 artisans, performers and entrepreneurs

ISLAMABAD:

The capital is gearing up for the much-anticipated Lok Mela 2024, promising an exciting journey into Pakistan's rich cultural tapestry.

Scheduled to be held from November 8 to 17, this year's festival promises to be bigger than ever, featuring a rich array of festivities such as musical nights, youth and international pavilion as it marks the golden jubilee celebrations of Lok Virsa.

Lok Mela, is an annual event that showcases the traditional colours of the country in collaboration with provinces.

It will bring together around five hundred artisans, musicians, and performers and entrepreneurs. According to an official, the visitors can enjoy a range of activities including traditional music and dance performances, craft workshops, delicious local cuisine, and much more, during the celebrations.

The objective of the Lok Mela is to promote Pakistan's indigenous folk heritage, strengthen national harmony and integration among all federating units through a cultural perspective and provide a much- needed platform to the master artisans, folk artists, folk musicians and folk dancers to demonstrate their skills at the national level.

The festival is being organised in close collaboration with all provincial culture departments.

All provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have confirmed to set their cultural pavilions at the festival grounds, the official informed.

The main features of the Mela are provincial cultural pavilions, artisans at work, an exotic craft bazaar, international cultural pavilion, youth cultural pavilion, folk musical and folk-dance performances.