STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The 10-day annual folk festival of Pakistan, Lok Mela, concluded here on Sunday at Lok Virsa with a colourful awards ceremony.
The festival entertained the people of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with vibrant colours of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. At the same time, during the concluding ceremony, awards were given to deserving master artisans and folk artists on the recommendations of a national jury formed for the purpose.
The main focus of the cultural festival was on national integration and provincial harmony, highlighting the contribution of members of diverse communities in shaping Pakistan’s future. Hundreds of rural musicians, master artisans, folk dancers, and folk artists from different parts of Pakistan, including remote and far-flung regions, participated in the cultural festival, bringing with them their creativity in innovation, arts, and crafts.
Cultural Festival depicts Pakistan’s heritage
Daily attractions of the festival included pavilions of all the provinces of Pakistan depicting different cultural themes, folk dances, traditional food stalls, folk music, concerts, shopping stalls, and kid’s corner in the open-air theatre, among several other programs. An attractive craft bazaar showcasing a wide variety of unique handicrafts, souvenir items, antiques, and decorative art was also set up.
As part of the mega cultural activities of the federal capital of Pakistan, the cultural festival has been organized for over four decades. This year owing to the recent flash flood, a part of the revenue generated through the cultural festival will be donated to Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund to assist the flood victims of Pakistan.
Pavilions attract visitors
About 500 master artisans, folk artists, and folk musicians participated in this Mela from all over the country. All provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, participated in the festival. Provincial and regional pavilions served people as a major attraction during the festival.
These pavilions presented the indigenous culture, arts, crafts, folk music, folk cuisine, and folk crafts of their respective provinces/ regions. Every province, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir also arranged special musical evenings during the festival that attracted huge crowds.
