Latest news with #LokVirsa
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Diaspora celebrates culture at Lok Virsa
Lok Virsa Deputy Director Anwarul Haq said that the Lok Virsa aimed to preserve the cultural and historical value of Pakistan. PHOTO: A high-level delegation of overseas Pakistanis, currently participating in the Overseas Pakistanis Convention organised in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), visited Lok Virsa on Sunday. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, made special arrangements to welcome the delegation. The guests were greeted with traditional drumbeats and vibrant regional folk music, creating a festive atmosphere. Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture, Farah Naz Akbar, officially welcomed the overseas delegates upon their arrival. Delegations from various parts of the worldincluding the United States, Europe, Gulf countries, and Africatoured the Lok Virsa Museum, Handicraft Bazaar, Craft Village, and cultural stalls showcasing Pakistan's rich heritage. The visitors also enjoyed live folk performances, featuring traditional melodies, instruments, and dances from different regions of the country. The performances were met with enthusiastic applause. Delegates visited provincial pavilions that represented the unique cultural identities of all federal units, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Lok Virsa officials briefed the guests on the diversity and vibrancy of Pakistan's cultural landscape. Speaking to the media, Farah Naz Akbar shared that approximately one thousand overseas Pakistanis are participating in this year's convention. She praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for facilitating this platform, calling it a positive initiative to strengthen connections with Pakistanis living abroad. She added that the convention would help formulate a comprehensive strategy to address the concerns and challenges faced by the overseas community.
Express Tribune
26-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Series of seminar on 'Folk Legends of Pakistan' launched
The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), in collaboration with the Center of Excellence in Gender Studies (CEGS) at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, launched a series of seminar titled "Folk Legends of Pakistan" with a focus on Bibi Nani, a revered folk legend from Balochistan. The event, held at the School of Sociology auditorium, featured a distinguished cultural expert and researcher, Pannah Baloch, as the keynote speaker. Baloch delivered an insightful presentation on Bibi Nani's historical, cultural, and symbolic significance within Baloch tradition, emphasising her role as a symbol of resilience, wisdom, and feminine power in Balochistan's oral narratives. CEGS Director, Dr Aisha Anees Malik, moderated the session and skillfully guided the dialogue toward exploring intersections between folk heritage, gender dynamics, and contemporary identity-building in Pakistan. She highlighted the importance of preserving folklore like Bibi Nani's to challenge stereotypes and promote social cohesion. Lok Virsa Director of Research, Dr Muhammad Waqas Saleem reiterated Lok Virsa's commitment to safeguarding Pakistan's intangible cultural heritage.
Express Tribune
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Festival ends with grand cultural display
The three-day Rang-e-Pakistan festival, showcasing the nation's rich art, culture, and traditions, concluded on Monday. The event featured folk artists, craftsmen, dancers, and performers, offering a platform to showcase their talents. PHOTOS: EXPRESS The Rang-e-Pakistan Festival, celebrating Pakistan's rich culture, history, and literature, concluded on Monday. The three-day event also provided a platform for folk artists, craftsmen, dancers, and performers to share their talents with a wider audience. The event was organised by Lok Virsa under the directions of the National Heritage and Culture Division in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of Arts, Pakistan Academy of Letters, Department of Archeology and Museums, National Language Promotion Board and Iqbal Academy. A major highlight of the festival was the artisan craft exhibition, where over 30 skilled craftsmen from across Pakistan participated. They exhibited their handmade products. The festival helped them connect with different organisations, creating more opportunities to promote and expand their craft. The festival was filled with vibrant folk performances, as artists and dance groups entertained the audience with their talent, receiving enthusiastic applause. Another exciting feature was the poetry session, hosted by the Academy of Letters Pakistan, where famous poets shared their work, leaving the audience captivated. The Rang-e-Pakistan Festival truly celebrated Pakistan's cultural heritage, bringing people together and giving local artists the recognition they deserve. Famous storyteller Badar Khan narrated stories of Lahore and Bazar-i-husn. The closing concert electrified the Lok Virsa Mela grounds where the PNCA dance troupe presented different cultural dances of Pakistan. Shahid Ali Khan, a famous singer performed as well. Renowned singers Manwa sisters and, Hajvery Qawwal group also performed at the festival.
Express Tribune
22-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Rang-e-Pakistan Festival celebrates cultural heritage
The three-day Rang-e-Pakistan Festival officially kicked off under the aegis of the Lok Virsa, National Heritage and Culture Division on Saturday, aiming to promote Pakistan's rich cultural, historical and literary heritage. Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Hassan Nasir Jamy officially inaugurated the festival in which the promotion of Pakistan's rich cultural, historical and literary heritage and the prominent activities of the institutions of the Ministry of National Heritage and Culture were highlighted. This festival will continue from 10am to 10pm daily at the Lok Virsa Complex, Shakarparian. A large number of people from the twin cities attended the festival on the first day. This festival provides an opportunity for skilled craftsmen and artisans to showcase their art and celebrate their art at the national level. The objectives of this festival include honouring skilled craftsmen, folk artists and artisans and encouraging them to continue their respective arts so that this national cultural heritage of ours can be passed on to the new generation. Lok Virsa, being an important institution promoting Pakistani culture, is well aware of the need for gender equality, which is evident in every programme it organises from time to time, as this way, both male and female artists get equal opportunities to express their talents and gain recognition. Many female artists can also be seen showcasing their art at this festival. All the subsidiaries of the ministry, including the Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Pakistan Academy of Letters, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Department of National Language Promotion, National Library of Pakistan, and Quaid-e-Azam Academy, have set up their special stalls in this festival.
Express Tribune
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Lok Virsa celebrates Kashmir Solidarity Day
ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa hosted a vibrant series of cultural events to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day, drawing visitors from across the capital. The event highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIoJK) while reaffirming solidarity with the Kashmiri people's struggle for self-determination. A key attraction was the artisan-at-work exhibition, where Kashmiri craftsmen showcased their expertise in traditional wood carving, paper mache art, and intricate embroidery. Stalls displayed beautifully handcrafted walnut wood boxes, ornate mirror frames, and exquisitely woven shawls, drawing admiration from visitors. "The craftsmanship here is simply breathtaking. Each piece tells a story of Kashmir's deep artistic traditions," said Hina Iqbal, a visitor who purchased a hand-made jewellery box as a souvenir. Another attendee, Ahmed Raza, who explored the embroidery section, remarked, "These Kashmiri shawls are masterpieces. The fine needlework and vibrant colours reflect the dedication of Kashmiri artisans." A photographic exhibition depicted the harrowing realities of Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir. The powerful images stirred emotions among visitors, with many stopping to discuss the plight of the Kashmiri people. "Seeing these pictures is heartbreaking. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by Kashmiris every day," said Rafay Malik, a student attending the event. The event also featured soulful Kashmiri musical performances, where artists dressed in traditional attire performed folk songs and played classical Kashmiri instruments. A seminar was also held on Kashmiri cultural heritage which brought together scholars and activists, who discussed the importance of preserving Kashmir's identity.
