Islamabad: (Parliament Times) The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) has started a new program series on “Children Lok Mela†under the popular slogan `Harnessing Culture with Education’ in collaboration with Training Wing of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE).
The first Children Lok Mela was held today at the premises of Islamabad Model College for Girls (IMCG), I-9/1, which featured a number of colorful activities including artisans-at-work, live folk musical performances by artists and traditional drummers (Dholis), traditional food stalls, traditional horse dance and many other attractions.
Mr. Hasnat Qurrreshi, Director General, Federal Directorate of Education and Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Executive Director, Lok Virsa were the special guests at the opening ceremony of the Mela.
In his address, DG, FDE Hasnat Qureshi highly commended the efforts of Lok Virsa and Dr. Fouzia Saeed for infusing a new spirit in their students about the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan. He assured full cooperation from his department for the successful implementation of this program series.
ED Lok Virsa Dr. Fouzia Saeed said “Her institution is working for the last two years in close collaboration with FDE to inculcate knowledge in children about various facets of Pakistani culture, particularly folk crafts. Their response is worth mentioning.†She also thanked FDE Training Wing for their unstinted support in this project.
ED Lok Virsa further added “Lok Virsa has launched a one-year program series in the name of “Craft is Knowledge†on 18th September 2017. It aims at perpetuating traditional skills, promoting master artisans and above all, creating awareness among children (age group: 7-16 years) about folk crafts. Under this initiative, ten training programs will be organized focusing on popular crafts like truck art, paper Mache, pottery, doll making, traditional weaving, stone carving, etc. Each program will be held for five days at Heritage Museum and master artisans in the respective craft field will demonstrate their work and provide hands on training to children. First program under this series, i.e. “Truck Art: Engagement with Artisans†has already started at Lok Virsa which will continue till Friday, 22nd September 2017.
An important component of the “Craft is Knowledge†program series is the “Children Lok Mela†which has an objective to mobilize educational institutions about the importance of the traditional culture.
The one-year monthly program on “Craft is Knowledge†followed by “Children Lok Mela†at a local FDE school will conclude in June 2018.
Around two thousand students from various FDE schools participated in the Children Lok Mela held at IMCG I-9/1 and enjoyed the activities presented on the occasion.
The opening ceremony featured popular milli naghmas, Kalam-e-Iqbal, folk songs, folk dances and cultural diversity shows, all presented by children attired in colourful traditional costumes. Lok Virsa dance group presented famous `Bhangra’ folk dance. The audience enjoyed thrilling performances of the child folk artists a lot.