ISLAMABAD:
Lok Virsa’s flagship cultural festival, Lok Mela 2025, concluded on Sunday with a grand finale that drew tens of thousands of visitors, capping 10 days of vibrant performances, artisanal showcases, and celebrations of Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage.
The closing day highlighted an All-Provinces Cultural Showcase, a prestigious awards ceremony, and a spectacular procession of regional traditions, leaving audiences enthralled until the evening.
The festival, held at Lok Virsa, attracted a diverse audience, including families, students, diplomats, and culture enthusiasts, with pavilions representing Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir bustling with activity.
The visitors explored traditional handicrafts, regional cuisines, and interactive cultural displays, while performances of folk music, dance, and processions reflected the unity in Pakistan’s diversity.
The Grand Cultural Showcase was a highlight of the day, featuring electrifying performances including Attan, Luddi, Dhamaal, Leva, Ho Jamalo, Shehnai folk processions, and Shina/Balti dances. The visually rich procession emphasised the festival’s core theme of celebrating Pakistan’s multifaceted heritage, captivating audiences throughout the evening.
The awards ceremony, presided over by Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Waqas Saleem, recognised master artisans, emerging young artists, folk musicians, cultural bearers, pavilion teams, and craftsmen for their exceptional contributions. Special awards were presented to those preserving endangered crafts and performers who showcased authentic regional traditions.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Dr Waqas Saleem expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response over the 10 days, stating, “Lok Mela 2025 has once again proven that Pakistan’s cultural roots are deeply loved and proudly celebrated by our people. This festival belongs to our artisans, our performers, and every visitor who believes in preserving our heritage.”
The festival had already set a record on Saturday, the ninth day, when more than 200,000 visitors thronged the grounds for the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Musical Night. The evening featured powerful performances by Zeek Afridi, Bakhtiar Khattak, and rising sensation Sana Tajik.
Folk singer Raj Wali infused the night with traditional Pashto melodies, while the Shahid Ali Khan Qawwali Group delivered an electrifying spiritual performance that had the audience clapping and chanting. Live musicians on saxophone, banjo, rubab, harmonium, and tabla enriched the performances, highlighting KP’s folk heritage.
In an interview with Radio Pakistan, Dr Waqas Saleem described Lok Mela 2025 as a vital platform for showcasing the country’s cultural richness. “Lok Mela has been organised since 1981 to provide opportunities for skilled people to display their handicrafts and traditions,” he said.
He highlighted the festival’s seven provincial pavilions and international representations from China, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia. He emphasised the festival’s social significance, stating that it sends a message of peaceful coexistence, social cohesion, and community engagement, countering tendencies of radicalisation and extremism.
As the festival drew to a close, fireworks illuminated the Islamabad sky and the final musical performances resonated across the grounds, marking Lok Mela 2025 as bigger, brighter, and more vibrant than ever.
With record-breaking crowds, unforgettable performances, and a celebration of Pakistan’s cultural plurality, the festival reaffirmed its status as the country’s largest and most cherished cultural event.
