ISLAMABAD: The much-awaited annual Lok Mela will be held at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) from Nov 8-17, presenting a diverse cultural extravaganza for the art lovers.

The event is being arranged by Lok Virsa, which is an autonomous cultural organisation working under the National Heritage and Culture Division.

Preparations for the Lok Mela are underway to make it a success by adding all the attractions. The festival is set to attract artisans, performers and visitors from across the country, an official of Lok Virsa said.

As this year’s festival will mark the golden jubilee celebrations of Lok Virsa (1974-2024), several new and innovative attractions are being added to the event, the official added.

The objective 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 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 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, puppet shows, stalls by civil society organisations, folk cuisine and other attractions.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2024