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| Lok Virsa’s cultural festivals postponed |
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Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Islamabad
The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa, has postponed its two mega festivals to be held in the months of October and November this year due to prevailing law and order situation in the country.
“In view of the detailed consultation held with all stake holders, and due to prevailing law and order situation in the country, it has been decided that artisans-at-work festival, popularly known as `Lok Mela’ has been postponed till April 2010; and `Wakhi Cultural Festival’ till next month,” Khalid Javaid, executive director of Lok Virsa told APP.
The `Wakhi Cultural Festival’ was planned to be held from October 21-25 featuring the living style of people from Gilgit-Baltistan region.
The objective of the festival was to explore various facets of Wakhi culture and develop the understanding of the people about the unique characteristics and history of Wakhi culture.
“This event was considered as an opportunity to pave way for documentation, research and preservation of history, language, arts and crafts of Wakhi people living in Gilgit Baltistan region,” Khalid Javaid said.
Around 60 artisans were invited to colour the grounds of Lok Virsa with their arts, crafts, dances, food and traditions from birth to death rituals.
Lok Mela - the annual cultural festival of Lok Virsa was planned from November 7 to 22 after a break of two years to promote, perpetuate and preserve dying arts, crafts and traditional skills in Pakistan.
One of the popular folk festival of its kind, it was started in 1981, Khalid Javaid said, adding that “This unique event has become a symbol of the Federation’s recognition and patronage to our rich cultural diversity and active participation of the people of Pakistan.” The central focus of this festival was rural Pakistan and the direct beneficiaries were artisans, musicians and other performers from the rural areas and remote regions of the country.
More than 500 artisans and artists from all parts of the country were invited from across the country, bringing with them their creativity in arts, crafts and innovation.
For security reasons after the scourge of extremism and terrorism in the country, the event was being delayed from the past 2 years.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
