SLAMABAD: The on going 17-day ‘Art and Culture Festival’ is in full swing and has become a major source of entertainment for art and craft-loving Islooites with its colourful attractions. The festival, which started here on September 19, features artisans-at-work, musical shows, food courts, cultural performances, puppet shows, magic shows, gymnastic shows, stage and street performances, dance performances and many other attractions. Folk performers in vibrant regional attires attract visitors daily and present folk dances and melodies to provide a healthy entertainment to the art and fun lovers of the twin cities. Over 30 artisans belonging to different parts of the country have set up their stalls in artistically-designed cultural pavilions to showcase their expertise as well as earn respectable livelihood without the involvement of middlemen. This folk festival also called ‘Lok Mela’ was first held in 1982 and is still on the cultural calendar of Pakistan. The popularity of the event can be judged from the fact that people wait for it and chalk out their schedule according to its dates. From the northern areas to deserts and remote regions of the country, the festival carries glimpses of arts, crafts and performing art activities. According to them, folk melodies showcase the ideas of people living in different regions of the country and these melodies are connected to traditions and culture. Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid said the event had been arranged to provide a platform to the traditional art practitioners, revive the heritage and introduce the dying arts to the young generation. It also offers an opportunity to the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the diplomatic community residing here to witness various facets of Pakistan’s living culture, he said. The festival will continue until October 6. app; dailytimes
Posted on: Wed, 02 Oct 2013 03:35:41 +0000
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