Nepal International Theatre Festival-2025 from today

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Mar. 19: Mandala Theatre-Nepal is all set to organise the third edition of the Nepal International Theatre Festival 2025 in Kathmandu from Wednesday. 

It will be held in Mandala Theatre, Thapagaun , Kathmandu, from March 19 to 27.

With the slogan of 'Theatre for Social Transformation: Light of Indigenous Wisdom', it is informed that the NITFest 2025 is determined to strengthen communal harmony, and respectfulness for social diversity and to contribute to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage through social awareness, art and exchange. 

"Moreover, the festival will support global theatre groups and artistes coming together in a shared platform to explore their aesthetic expressions and solidarities for relevant socio-political issues," festival director and actor Dayahang Rai said.

According to him, theatre productions from around the world will be showcased during the festival. "The theatre productions are carefully selected by the festival committee based on their potential to be the reflection of the vibrant socio-political scenarios of local communities from different regions of the world," he added.

The festival will feature theatre performances such as 'Umlindo Kharāni Ra Lemlemmā', 'Milarepa', 'Jhoda', 'Sama Chako Sama Chako Ahiwa Hey' from Nepal, 'Kandata & Sakuntala'jointly from Japan and Nepal, 'Master Shoko & Margarita' from Japan,  'Mochou', 'The Charming Jinju Opera Episodes' from China, 'Aboriginal Cry', 'Tamasha' from India, 'ASCH' from Tunisia, 'Antigone' from Iran, 'Arrived' jointly from Lithuania and Spain, 'New Normal' jointly from Nepal, Scotland and United Kingdom.

Besides, there will be other allied events such as daily interactions, panel discussions, seminars, open-air performances, theatre photo exhibitions, encouragement award ceremonies, cultural and artistic stalls, and others. 

Moreover, a poetry session on indigenous wisdom will also be held on the first day of the festival. According to Shakuntala Joshi, coordinator of the session ‘Kavitako Raithane Rang: Poetry Recitation Session’, brings together a total of 22 poets from all across the country. 

According to her, Phulman Bal, Avinash Shrestha, Laxmi Mali, Ashmita Waadi, Bishwawimohan Shrestha, Sneha Sayami, Shrawan Mukarung, Momila Joshi, Rajendra Salav, Prabha Bhattarai, Rupesh Shrestha, Jyoti Jangal, Avaya Shrestha, Swapnil Smriti, Deepak Sapkota, Laxmi Rumba, Bhumika Tharu, Prajwal Adhikari, Babu Tripathi, Viplov Pratik, Tirtharaj Bishwakarma, Suraj Rana and Shakuntala Joshi will present their poems.