Islamabad: (Parliament Times) A one-month children summer camp in traditional skills opened here at Zarsanga Hall, Lok Virsa Complex, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian Hills under the aeigis of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage, Government of Pakistan.
The objective of the camp is to promote traditional skills and inculcate awareness among younger generation, particularly children about the indigenous craft heritage of Pakistan. The emphasis of the camp is on three important traditional crafts i.e. truck art, papier mache and pottery making.
Twenty five children with age group 6 to 14 years are attending the camp with a great zeal of enthusiasm and interest.
Master artisans, who are conducting the training classes, are Khalil ur Rehman & Ejaz Ahmad from Rawalpindi in truck art, Niaz Ahmad in pottery making from Saidpur village and Asifa Bibi in papier mache from Rawalpindi. All these artisans possess vast knowledge and experience and have been imparting training to youth in their respective craft skills.
There are three periods in the camp; first focuses on short history of the craft, second on practical work under master artisans and third on story telling and folk music. Female teachers, folk artists and folk musicians have also been made part of the training program.
The camp will culminate with a prestigious and colourful ceremony scheduled on 31st July 2018 wherein certificates will be awarded to the participating children in full view of the media. The ceremony will also feature live folk musical performances, presented by children attired in traditional costumes.
