Latest news with #LokVirsa
Express Tribune
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Heritage celebrations begin 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: Following the directives of the federal government, Lok Virsa is hosting a series of programmes on August 12 and 14 to commemorate Independence Day and the Marka-e-Haq celebrations. These include Artisans at Work – an exhibition showcasing master craftsmen representing diverse traditional skills from the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir; singing competitions; an art exhibition paying tribute to the martyrs of Marka-e-Haq; a craft bazaar; and live music and dance performances. A pictorial display honouring the Shuhada of Marka-e-Haq has also been mounted at the Pakistan Monument Museum. The programmes at Lok Virsa were inaugurated by Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi. Also in attendance were Parliamentary Secretary Madam Farha Naz Akbar and Mr Asaad Rehman Gilani, Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture. Speaking on the occasion, the minister remarked: "The celebrations of Independence Day and Marka-e-Haq are not merely a remembrance of our historic struggle; they are also a tribute to the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives for the sovereignty and dignity of Pakistan.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Cultural display highlights Meo identity
The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) has established a new cultural diorama dedicated to the "Meo community" at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology – Heritage Museum, showcasing the unique history, culture, and traditions of the Meo community, an important ethnolinguistic group within the diverse cultural landscape of Pakistan. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi inaugurated the display. In his remarks, the minister said: "The Meo community is a vibrant and integral part of Pakistan's cultural mosaic. Their rich heritage, values of resilience, and contributions to local traditions deserve to be celebrated and preserved. The creation of this cultural diorama at Lok Virsa is a commendable step towards acknowledging and honouring our diverse identities". This initiative not only documents the living culture of a historic community but also reaffirms the government's commitment to cultural inclusion and national unity, he maintained. The minister congratulated Lok Virsa for consistently promoting the voices of underrepresented communities through creative and meaningful platforms. Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary secretary, Asad Rehman Gilani, secretary, and a large number of people from the community attended the event. This display is an example of community engagement, as the display has been sponsored by the community. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhammad Waqas Saleem, Executive Director, Lok Virsa stated: "This diorama is part of Lok Virsa's ongoing commitment to inclusivity in cultural representation.
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.
