Lok Virsa… folklore festival. The largest cultural event in Pakistan is the annual National Folklore Festival (Lok Mela), which is held annually in October. Over the past two decades, this festival has acquired an international flavor, and more than 20 different countries have sent their artisans and performers to participate in the festival. At the national level, the festival has become a source of pride for artisans and performers who come to participate in it on their own. Most importantly, the provinces of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir have built beautifully decorated pavilions, and visitors have a unique opportunity to see an assortment of Pakistan’s traditionally rich culture in the federal capital Islamabad for an exciting ten days. The exhibition of artisans forms the basis of this festival. The Lok Virsa Research and Media Center organizes groups of dancers who perform throughout the festival, inviting visitors to join, and in the evenings arranges musical concerts from all over Pakistan. The festival is documented by Lok Virsa researchers, who interview all artisans and artists.
