By Kashmala Yousafzai
Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pavilion at the Lok Mela Islamabad is able to attract a large number of local as well as foreign enthusiasts of arts and handicrafts. A seven-day culture festival best known as Lok Mela was kicked off on 1st November which will continue till 7 November. All the provinces of the country have install their stalls composed of different traditional handicrafts, arts and other cultural items. Likewise, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority launches cultural handicrafts for tourists and families at KP Pavilion at the Lol Mela.
The Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pavilion set up at the Lok Mela has 30 different stalls displaying the heritage, culture and musical diversity of the province’s different parts. The stalls based on provincial culture include straw-work, stoneware, wooden art, Peshawari slippers, crockery, shawls, khadi, wax items on clothes, wax painting, earthenware, glass carving, and various other handicrafts, artificial traditional jewelry, dry fruit etc.
Traditional dance & Music specially Rabab are the main attraction for foreign as well as local visitors. Many foreigners thronged the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa pavilion with keen interest in the local cultural items specially cultural costumes besides getting entertained listening to traditional music of KP. Many of the foreign visitors seen taking pictures with the local KP artisans at the pavilion besides displaying KP attire by wearing these.
Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Tourist Information desk has also been set up for the visitors. In order to provide information about the tourism and tourist destinations of the province to the tourists visiting the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pavilion, an SMD screen been installed and documentaries on the tourist destinations of the province are being screened. Foreign tourists said that they were served famous green tea of the province and have been welcomed with respect at the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa pavilion.
Some of the foreign visitors said they have practically witnessed the hospitality of the province, which they used to hear about KP. For the foreign tourists, families, citizens and youth coming to the festival, traditional music of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Rabab and FC Mehsud dance performances are also being presented. The closing ceremony of the folk festival will be held on November 7.
