BoG Lok Virsa approves various new initiatives being taken by present govt
Chitral Times Report
ISLAMABAD: Board of Governors (BoG) of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) 32nd meeting was held here at Lok Virsa in chair of Caretaker Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah. The meeting was attended by Secretary National Heritage and Culture Humaira Ahmed, Members Rao Tehsin Ali Khan, Tariq Mahmood, Dr Hassan Sher, Joint Secretary Finance Division, ex MPA Sobia Shahid. and Executive Director Lok Virsa Muhammad Uzair Khan, The meeting commenced with Fateha for the deceased BoG Member Late Laiq Zada Laiq. The BoG meeting highly praised holding of ten-day folk festival.
The BoG members said that the events like Lok Mela serve to promote national harmony and integration among all federating units through projection of their indigenous culture and folk heritage. The events like Lok Mela are a priority of the present government as these promote Pakistan’s traditional culture and provide healthy entertainment for the people. The BoG members also appreciated the events being held at Lok Mela in solidarity with Palestine. The Board has approved the ongoing ten-day folk festival. During meeting, the Board of Governors also approved the reconstitution of Lok Virsa Executive Committee.
The Board has also approved the proposal of establishing a dedicated National Heritage Channel to document and broadcast our cultural heritage, historical landmarks, traditional practices, and artistic achievements in principle. The Board has also approved the proposal of establishing Cineplex Cinema at Lok Virsa in principle. The BoG also approved the establishment of Centre of Excellence at Lok Virsa.
The minister said that ten-day folk festival aims at promoting indigenous folk heritage and encouraging traditional practitioners including master artisans, folk artists, folk musicians and rural performers to demonstrate their skills and win recognition of their talent at national level, adding that the festival also serves to strengthen national harmony and integration among all federating units through their effective participation. This year’s festival is being held from 3rd to 12th November, 2023 at Lok Virsa Complex, Garden Avenue, Islamabad. The main features of the festival include provincial cultural pavilions, folkloric song and dance ensembles, traditional cuisine, craft bazaar, folk theatre performances, storytelling sessions, Putli Tamasha shows, folk musical evenings, etc.
