ISLAMABAD: Islamabad is once again set to dazzle with the colours, sounds, and spirit of Pakistan’s cultural diversity. Annual Lok Mela begins in Islamabad.
Lok Mela 2025 begins to celebrate the richness of Pakistan’s cultural heritage on Friday, November 7. This year’s festival holds special significance as it marks 50 years of the establishment of Lok Virsa. The 10-day cultural exhibition, organised by the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) under the National Heritage and Culture Division.
The theme of Lok Mela 2025 is Yakjehti k Rang, Lok Virsa k Sang. The colours of unity, alongside Lok Virsa, the festival aims to promote national cohesion and cultural appreciation.
The event will feature cultural pavilions of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The event will have an international pavilion, artisans at work, folk songs and dance performances, an exotic craft bazaar, cultural nights, folkloric performances, food courts, and many other activities.
As per tradition, the festival will formally open with a ‘dastarbandi’ ceremony, exhibiting the Lok Virsa’s commitment to the high stature that craftspeople and folk artists have in the cultural mainstream.
Culture departments of all provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and the diplomatic community have been invited to set up pavilions presenting their indigenous folk culture, artisans, folk artists, and traditional cuisine as link nodes of the festival’s foundation grid.
The festival will come alive every evening with ‘Cultural Nights’ dedicated to the rich musical traditions of each province.
Special attractions featuring folk singers, folk entertainers, and other entertaining shows will be organized throughout the festival period duration. The 10-day festival will conclude with a grand closing ceremony and musical night on November 16.
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