By Eman Alam
ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa’s flagship cultural festival Lok Mela 2025 concluded Sunday with a magnificent closing ceremony that drew tens of thousands of visitors, rounding off ten days of vibrant cultural celebration, traditional performances, and artistic brilliance.
The grand finale featured an All-Provinces Cultural Showcase and a prestigious award ceremony, honouring the artisans, performers, and cultural custodians whose contributions made this year’s festival a resounding national success.
The final day saw an exceptional public turnout as families, students, diplomats, and culture enthusiasts continued to stream into the festival grounds. Pavilions representing Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad bustled with activity till late evening, offering signature crafts, regional cuisines, folk music, and interactive cultural displays.
The highlight of the closing festivities was the Grand Cultural Showcase, where regional folk troupes delivered an electrifying fusion of traditional performances including Attan, Luddi, Dhamaal, Leva, Ho Jamalo, Shehnai folk processions, and Shina/Balti dances.
The visually stunning procession celebrated Pakistan’s unity in diversity and kept the audience enthralled throughout.
The award ceremony, presided over by Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr. Muhammad Waqas Saleem, recognized master artisans, emerging young artists, folk musicians, cultural bearers, pavilion teams, and craftsmen for their outstanding contributions.
Special awards were presented to those preserving endangered crafts and to performers who showcased authentic regional traditions with excellence.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Dr. Waqas Saleem expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response received over the ten 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.”
As fireworks lit up the Islamabad sky and the final musical performances echoed across Lok Virsa, Lok Mela 2025 concluded on a triumphant note-bigger, brighter, and more vibrant than ever-cementing its place as Pakistan’s largest and most cherished cultural festival.
