ISLAMABAD: The 10-day annual folk festival started at Lok Virsa on Friday.

The main objective of the festival is to promote harmony and national integration by highlighting the contribution of people in promoting the culture of Pakistan. More than 500 artisans and artists from all over the country are participating in the festival.

Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rashid, who inaugurated the festival, said Melas (festivals) are part of Pakistani culture.

`Bringing together artisans from all over the country is a big achievement. Craftsmen and folk artists are our national treasure. We should encourage them not only to continue practicing their skills but also transfer their skills to the future generations. Traditions and cultural values are the identity of a nation.

The minister also performed `Dastar Bandi` of craftsman Ameer Bux for his over 50 years of experience and impressive work.

The 70-year-old Ameer Bux while talking to Dawn said he belonged to the Lodhran district and had been doing block painting since he was 13 years old.

`I pain cloths, carpets with natural colours abstracted from grass, trees and flowers. Natural colours are more beautiful as compared toartificial colours,` he said.

Mr Bux has also been engaged as a demonstrator to teach vegetable dyes at the product design section of the National College of Arts, Lahore.

Executive Director Lok VirsaShahera Shahid said the festival was held every year to bring artisans to a single platform.

A large number of people from different walks of life attended the ceremony and enjoyed the thrilling performances of the artists.Earlier, the minister also opened an exhibition on `Pakistan legacy` organised by the Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum.

The festival will continue from 11am to 10pm till April 20.