Islamabad:The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Mela is all set to hold its annual 10-day artisans-at-work festival, popularly known as ‘Lok Mela’ here from Friday (June 3).

The colourful traditional ‘Lok Mela’ has been a major attraction for resident of twin cities to get the glimpses of rich cultural heritage of all the provinces of Pakistan and also a festive treat for shopping art and crafts related products.

This will be first mega event that ‘Lok Virsa’ will organise after devolution of the ministry of culture and transferring of its administrative control to the federal ministry of information.

Executive Director of Lok Virsa, Khalid Javaid informed the festival will be held at Shakarparain where all the arrangements have been finalised while due to security situation in past, this unique event could not take place for the last four years.

“The central focus of the festival would be rural Pakistan. The direct beneficiaries will be master craftspeople, folk artists, rural musicians and other performers from each and every corner of the country,” he said, adding, “The festival would serve to disseminate the dynamic creativity of our countryside and would give rural folk a pride in their identity.” While the main thrust of the festival is the focus on provincial harmony and national integration highlighting the contribution of our people in building future Pakistan. More than 500 artisans and artists from different parts including remotest regions will come to the festival, bringing with them their creativity in arts, crafts and innovation, ED Lok Virsa maintained.

All the provincial culture departments, small industries corporations, arts councils, regional cultural bodies, community- based organizations, craftspeople and folk artists have been invited to ensure large scale participation in the festival.

The festival will include a number of important features including artisans-at-work exhibition, provincial participation by way of setting up of a beautiful cultural pavilion by each province/region, folkloric song and dance ensembles, rural musicians, cultural evenings, promotional stalls by public organisations and NGOs, general assembly of craftspeople, an exotic craft bazaar, inaugural and award ceremonies, traditional food cuisine, food stalls and special attractions for children amusement.
The festival would conclude on June 12 with distribution of cash prizes among the winning craftspeople and folk artists.The news