Kathmandu University to host 25th International Multi-Ethnic Literature Conference
The 25th International Multi-Ethnic Literature Conference, a collaborative effort between Kathmandu University and the Society for the Study of the Multi-Ethnic Literature of the World (MELOW), is scheduled to take place from September 27 to 29, 2024 (Ashoj 11-13, 2081) at Kathmandu University.
Founded in 1997, MELOW is a global network of scholars, writers, professors, critics, and students dedicated to exploring literature across cultures and fostering international literary connections. Led by Professor Manju Jaidka, a distinguished academic and President of MELOW, a team of scholars from India has already arrived in Nepal to participate in the conference.
The conference will delve into the intricate relationship between literature and nature, examining how our understanding of natural environments shapes human life. Approximately 200 participants, including 80 national and 120 international scholars, are expected to attend, with 120 research papers to be presented. Renowned scholars Professor Krishnan Unni from Delhi University, India, and Professor Ammaraj Joshi, former Vice Chancellor of Far-Western University, Nepal, will deliver the keynote speeches.
A series of panel discussions focusing on the interplay between literature and nature will be a central highlight of the conference. Distinguished scholars like Professor Krishnachandra Sharma, Professor Anand Sharma, Professor Ramchandra Paudel, and Professor Jeevalal Sapkota will contribute to these insightful discussions.
Research topics will encompass a diverse range of subjects, including environment, identity, spirituality, nature, wildlife, and landscape. The conference will also explore themes such as mountains and mountaineering, deserts, rivers, oceans, and travel writing, offering fresh intellectual perspectives on the connection between humans, culture, and the environment.
Moreover, the conference will address the growing influence of modern technology and globalization on literature, stimulating discussions on emerging trends and intellectual curiosity among scholars from around the world. The event is anticipated to provide valuable insights into existing literary theories and cultural studies.
