Programme to promote crafts

Islamabad :As part of the initiative of promoting traditional skills of the country’s rich, diverse and pluralistic culture, the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, popularly known as Lok Virsa, launched a new programme series on 'craft is knowledge' with the first event being 'truck art: engagement with artisans' here at the Museum Hall of Lok Virsa, on Monday.

The programme aims to promote folk crafts, to revive some of the traditional skills and raise awareness about the craft heritage of Pakistan among the younger generation. The opening ceremony included a number of live, colourful musical performances and variety shows by students from various government schools.

The chief guest of the ceremony, federal secretary of information, broadcasting and national heritage Sardar Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera praised the students for showing the power of diversity through their performances.

"Respecting one another’s culture is very important for creating tolerance and diversity. Culture brings people together and ultimately makes a country stronger and peaceful," he said. The secretary also visited the many stalls installed at the event and met with artisans and students who were learning truck art from the artisans.

Talking to the media, Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr. Fouzia Saeed said that they have launched this initiative mainly for young children. “Our Heritage Museum highlights one craft every month with artisans and experts available for children to engage and learn from them. These craft-persons not only display their crafts and make them in front of the people but also teach and have materials for them to experiment with the medium.  This, we hope, will give them hands on opportunity to become familiar with the folk crafts,” she said. “We want the maximum number of children to learn about traditional arts, which is important for safeguarding folk cultures and their history,” she added.