Adviser to Prime Minister for National Heritage and Culture Engr Amir Muqam on Thursday formally inaugurated the five days folk festival of Pakistan “Saqafti Mela ” organized by Lok Virsa, National Heritage and Culture Division.
Speaking on the occasion, the adviser said that Saqafti Mela provides a much-needed platform to the traditional practitioners including master artisans, folk artistes, folk musicians, and folk dancers from all over the country to participate in the festival and win recognition of their talent at national level.
Artists and artisans are our asset and they contribute immensely to the development of the society, he added.
The adviser further stated that the events like Saqafti Mela serve to promote national harmony and integration among all federating units through projection of their indigenous culture and folk heritage. The events like Saqafti Mela are a priority of the present government as these promote Pakistan’s traditional culture and provide healthy entertainment for the people.
Secretary National Heritage and Culture Fareena Mazhar, Executive Director Lok Virsa Shahzad Durrani, representatives of all the provinces including Azad Jammu Kashmir were also present besides hundreds of master artisans, folk artists and musicians from all parts of the country.
The Mela brought cultural glimpses for fun lovers of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. “The festival is being organized on high demand of people as the Annual Saqafti Mela is organized once in a year while in summer vacations, the students, tourists and youngsters demanded a festival like Saqafti Mela.
Keeping in view this need of people, this event showcasing cultural shows, foods, musical and dance shows is being organized on a small scale,” said Fareena Mazhar, Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division while talking to media.
It has two objectives, one is the encouragement of local artisans who not only get the appreciation of their skills but also get financial benefits along with the display of their art and craft, second is the representation of the culture and traditions of all the provinces at the federal level, she said, adding that there will be fusion music for the encouragement of all folk musicians combining western music and international community residing at federal capital will also be invited for coordination and harmony among the provinces.
The festival aims to promote Pakistan’s folk heritage strengthening national harmony and integration among all federating units through a cultural perspective and contributing to minimize poverty among master artisans by providing them a platform to demonstrate their skills at the national level.
