PESHAWAR: Artisans and folk singers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) enthralled a large number of people at the lok virsa festival at Shakarparian in Islamabad.
Domestic and foreign tourists visited the sites to enjoy glimpses of the country’s diverse culture heritage.
The Pashtun cultural pavilion, arranged by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tourism and culture authority, spotlighted the rich cultural heritage of the province through 29 stalls of handicrafts, straw work, stoneware, wood art, Peshawari slippers, shawls, khadi work, wax painting, earthenware, glass, Jewelry, gemstone, Charsadda Shawls, women’s clothing, art and calligraphy, dried fruit and others.
The pavilion also featured documentaries on KP tourist destinations, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts and culture. The KP culture was also highlighted through brochures, pamphlets and booklets which were provided to visitors. At the lok virsa, a pashto music night was also arranged where singers and artists from the province enthralled the Pashto music lovers. The folk festival will continue till November 7 in which music nights of all the provinces will also be organised.
On the occasion special guest was joint Secretary of of Prime Minister House, Tariq Khan. He visited various stalls and met the artisans of the province. He said that there is no shortage of skilled artisans, artists and other skilled people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Artisans from all over the province including Swat, Dera Ismail Khan, Hazara, Chitral and Peshawar attended the music night. Khan said that participations in such cultural festivals not only encourages artisans but also makes it possible for domestic and foreign tourists to showcase their art all over the world. He said participation of all the provinces of Pakistan including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir in the Lok Mela is a welcome step as they will provide opportunities for all the artisans to meet and learn from each other.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Local Government Fazl Ilahi said that the culture of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been properly highlighted in the Lok Mela. “Culture stalls from across the province were on display in the KP pavilion,” Fazl Ilahi said. He expressed these views during a visit to the Pavilion at the lok verrsa Islamabad.
Handicraft stalls based on provincial culture, FC Mehsud dance and traditional music were also the part of the cultural festival. There are special participants whose handicrafts have become the center of attention of tourists. There were stalls to local artisans from Peshawar, Abbottabad, Haripur, Dera Ismail Khan, Chitral, Kalash Valley, Charsadda, Mardan, Bannu and other districts and tribal districts.