8th Myagdi Festival begins

By Thakur Prasad ACHARYA,Myagdi, Jan. 13: On the occasion of the 8th Myagdi Festival, which began on Sunday, art and culture representing various ethnic communities of Beni are being showcased.

Before the inauguration of the festival, a rally featuring tableaux paraded through the city.

Former Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress, Sher Bahadur Deuba reached Beni to inaugurate the festival.

The festival, organised by the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an umbrella organisation of the private sector on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti, will continue until January 21 in Beni, the district headquarters of Myagdi. Beni Bazaar has been cleaned and beautifully decorated with hanging ‘Torans’ to welcome guests visiting the festival.

A free stall has also been set up at the festival venue to display goods and materials produced in the district for sale, distribution and promotion.

The festival will showcase and sell agricultural and livestock products and local items related to small businesses. 

It is expected to play an important role in promoting trade, business and tourism in the district, said Subin Shrestha, president of the association. 

As per the organisers, seven stalls have been allocated free of charge to promote school innovations and science exhibitions.

Lila Ram Gautam, the first vice-president of the association, said that individuals born in Myagdi and recognised nationally and internationally will be honoured during the festival.  The association’s treasurer, Suman Shrestha, said that the festival aims to generate a financial turnover of over Rs. 100 million.

The association’s treasurer, Suman Shrestha, said the festival aims to generate a financial turnover of more than Rs. 100 million, aims to generate an income of Rs. 13.429 million and an expenditure of Rs. 12.918 million, resulting in a saving of Rs. 510,086.

The festival will feature musical performances by renowned national artists, alongside competitions such as open folk songs, ancestral dances, Bhajans, folk dances, and ‘Ratayuli’, said Gautam.

 Likewise, the organising body, the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that sports competitions will also be held. 

These include the Gandaki Province-level Inter-Municipal Men’s Volleyball Competition, the Open Women’s Volleyball Competition, the Ward-level Basketball Competition within Gandaki Province and the former Dhaulagiri Zonal-level B-Level Men’s Double Badminton Competition.