Lok Virsa marking Gold Jubilee through cultural fair
By Sheerein Sheikh
ISLAMABAD—Continuing it’s policy to facilitate and encourage other organizations working for promotion and projection of Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage, Lok Virsa has joined hands with Capital Development Authority (CDA) to celebrate it’s Golden Jubilee by way of making available it’s huge beautiful premises located at Garden Avenue, Shakarparian for ‘Capital Style Fun Fair’. The extravaganza which has begun here on 4th May, would go on till 9th May.
Giving details, Khalid Javaid; Executive Director Lok Virsa stated that a number of cultural and entertainment activities are being organized at Lok Virsa premises to mark the celebrations. A representative exhibition of master craftspeople including female artisans specializing in different crafts’ fields such as embroidery, zari work, stone work, metal work, wax printing, papier mache, Swati shawl, weaving, etc, is being organized. Other attractions of the fair include musical shows featuring Punjabi folk artists and rural performers, kids’ amusements shows like puttli tamasha, play land, muppets, etc. as well as recurring performances by traditional dance groups attired in colourful costumes. Besides cultural and entertainment activities, visitors would also enjoy village food like saag roti, Peshawari shinwari karahi, dahi bhalley, and several other dishes which are rarely seen at the Capital city.
According to the organizers, about 40,000 students from the twin cities of are also expected to visit the festival on 8th & 9th May 2010. The youth would not only have the opportunity to witness the festival’s activities but would also visit cultural facilities at Lok Virsa including Heritage Museum depicting living traditions and lifestyles of the people of Pakistan and Heritage Library within the museum focusing on Pakistan’s traditional culture, that serves as an important facility for students, researchers and scholars intending to carry out research on Pakistani culture. Furthermore, highlighting the importance of students’ participation in such an event, ED Lok Virsa said, “This is Lok Virsa’s ongoing initiative to involve younger generation in all activities and programmes under it’s popular slogan; ‘Harnessing Culture for Education’, with a view to make the youth fully aware of the indigenous folk culture, crafts and musical heritage of the country.”
The festival which commenced on 4th May 2010 would continue till 9th May daily from 4 to 10 p.m. at Lok Virsa, Shakarparian. The major organizers include CDA, Lok Virsa, National Institute of Culture Studies (NICS); a newly established culture and research-oriented body created by Lok Virsa in collaboration with Cosmos along various others.
Courtesy: Daily Times