ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa in collaboration with Norwegian Directorate of Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) has published a comprehensive book on "Children Folk Games of Pakistan and Norway" for documenting the folk culture of the two countries.
National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Lok Virsa published the book under the Joint Institutional Cooperation (JIC) Programme between the Pakistan and Norway.
The 100-page book contains 24 folk games along with description, number of players, preparations, steps and rules required for each game. It also comprises sketches and photographic representations so as to facilitate the readers to understand easily how to play these traditional games.
The introductory part gives the readers an idea that it is primarily a book written for children. However, it can also create interest in grownups, as all people cherish memories of childhood.
The games introduced in the book will let children know that they belong to the broad fraternity of the children of the world. A bare reading of the book provides that games played by Norwegian and Pakistani children are the same.
Executive Director, Lok Virsa, Khalid Javaid, who is also a renowned folklorist and craft expert, said "the book is for all ages because we have to remember that people of the world were once happy children and as we grow old we have a duty to return the same spirit of enjoyment and harmony among our children.
The book took me back to the days of my childhood, and I found myself playing these games with friends and within my family. Some of them are lost in the wide world of opportunities and fame but they may find some bond in the games that we played together. It may remind them of the grandeur of olden times when we found happiness and quiet around everywhere we looked".
The book is a welcome addition to all that Lok Virsa and Norwegian partners have done to develop better trust and understanding between our two friendly countries, he added.
The Chief of Lok Virsa also praised for the contribution of the Royal Norwegian Government, in particular its mission in Pakistan for their support in documenting and preserving the rich culture and traditions of Pakistan through JIC programme.
He also mentioned his own administrative ministry - National Heritage and Integration Division - for their patronage and enabling facilitation which resulted in materializing of such an important idea.
He was of the view that this effort would serve a long way in creating awareness among the youth community in understanding the cultural heritage of not only Pakistan and but also Norway where a large number of Pakistani community is residing and contributing to the development of Norway.
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