Singers, artisans draw crowds at Virsa | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Singers, artisans draw crowds at Virsa

ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa held various cultural activities on Thursday to celebrate Independence Day.

The programmes included flag hoisting ceremony, ‘Artisans-at-Work’ display, folk music performances, photographic exhibition and screening of a film on Pakistan Movement by the Department of Films and Publications.

The celebrations, which kicked off on August 12, gained momentum on August 14 when a large number of people thronged to venue. Majority of the people, especially children, were wearing a combination of green and white dresses. Lok Virsa building was magnificently decorated with banners, buntings, streamers and ornamental lights.

Five outstanding master artisans in the fields of wood and stone carving, weaving, paper-mâché, wax printing and embroidery from different part of the country not only demonstrated their skills but also provided an opportunity to youths to learn these skills.

A folk music concert featuring renowned folk artists and performers was highlight of the event. Melodious voices of Qurban Niazi, Rukhsana Murtaza, Muhammad Karam, Hassan Pasha, and other local performers enthralled a large audience at the open-air theatre.

Women from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) set up 20-25 stalls of arts and crafts, printing and other items to mark the day. The exhibition included a number of stalls serving traditional to intercontinental foods to visitors.

The crafts bazaar was focal point for visitors as they passionately shopped from different shops and admired skills of artisans.

Magic show was another attraction, which mesmerised a large number of kids. A photographic exhibition titled ‘Mera Imaan Pakistan’ showcasing over 150 rare photographs, both coloured and black and white, was held inside the Heritage Museum.

A slide show and special videos and documentaries were screened to shed light on struggle for Pakistan and life and works of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Fatima Jinnah and other prominent figures of Pakistan Movement.
Source: Daily Times
Date:8/15/2009