'Nepal Festival' to promote Nepal-Bangladesh cultural relations

Kathmandu, May 16: The Embassy of Nepal in Bangladesh organized 'Nepal Festival-2026 at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on Friday.     

The festival, organized in collaboration with the Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society, featured a ‘Food Fest’ as well as a ‘Cultural Programme’ aimed at showcasing Nepal’s diverse culinary and cultural traditions.     

At the inaugural session, Nepal's Ambassador for Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari stated that the objective of the festival was not only to promote the richness and diversity of Nepal’s culture and cuisine, but also to celebrate the artistic, musical, and culinary affinities between Nepal and Bangladesh.     

He emphasized that these shared cultural heritages constitute a strong foundation for the multifaceted relationship between the two countries and continue to reinforce enduring people-to-people ties and mutual understanding.     

Chief Guest Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh Nitai Roy Chowdhury appreciated the initiative and expressed confidence that the event would play a crucial role in bringing the peoples of the two countries closer.     

He also highlighted the importance of promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges to consolidate the bonds of friendship and explore further avenues of collaboration.     

Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy SK Rezauddin Ahmed, Chancellor of Pokhara Academy Padma Raj Dhakal, and President of Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society Moshiur Ahmed also spoke during the inaugural session.     

The Cultural Programme featured 14 artistic performances, including traditional dances, folk songs and musical presentations by visiting artists of Pokhara Academy, artists from the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, and Nepali students studying in Bangladesh.     

Nepali artists showcased traditional music and cultural dance forms, including Sorathi, Sakhiya, Lathi, Salaijo Jhyaure, and Kaura, among others.     

Bangladeshi artists also presented a Nepali dance and Nepali gazal, alongside Bangladeshi folk dances and musical performances.     

Chief Guest Chowdhury, accompanied by other guests present on the occasion, visited the stalls of the ‘Food Fest’.     

A variety of authentic Nepali delicacies were served across eight different stalls, set up primarily with the contribution of Nepali students studying in Bangladesh.     

The festival brought together representatives from government and non-government agencies, cultural and culinary enthusiasts, friends of Nepal, media persons, and members of the Nepali community in Bangladesh.(RSS)