Nepal Art and Culture Festival Kicks Off, Valley to Celebrate for 23 Days
Kathmandu – Nepal’s first-ever “Nepal Art and Culture Festival–2025” began on Friday with a grand opening ceremony at the Nepal Art Council in Babarmahal. President Ramchandra Poudel inaugurated the festival, marking the start of a 23-day celebration across the Kathmandu Valley.
Speaking at the opening, President Poudel emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Nepal’s art, culture, and heritage as key foundations of the country’s identity in the global arena. He noted, “In a democracy, people from all classes and professions receive equal opportunities. It is our shared responsibility to safeguard and promote our ancient heritage, art, and culture.” He also stressed that cultural heritage draws hundreds of thousands of tourists to Nepal every year, making its preservation vital.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey described the festival as a valuable opportunity to showcase Nepal’s cultural identity internationally. He announced plans to include the festival in Nepal’s annual calendar and expand it into a larger and more organized event in the coming years.
Deepak Raj Joshi, CEO of the Nepal Tourism Board, highlighted that while Nepal is widely recognized for mountain and adventure tourism, this festival aims to present the country as a “repository of art and cultural heritage.” He added that promoting Nepal’s unique culture could attract tourists even in the so-called “off-season,” boosting tourism revenue and contributing directly to national prosperity.
Sagar Shumsher Rana, Chairman of the Nepal Art Council, said the long-term goal is to expand the event into a “global cultural festival.”
The festival will feature over 40 events across Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur. More than 154 artists will showcase 273 artworks, alongside exhibitions of traditional skills, cultural performances, music, dance, local cuisine, and opportunities to experience Nepal’s living heritage.
Jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Art Council, Hotel Association Nepal, and local stakeholders of the Kathmandu Valley, the festival coincides with the Indra Jatra season and will continue until September 27. With the theme “A Celebration of Nepal’s Eternal Art, Culture, Cuisine, and Heritage,” organizers believe the event will enliven the Valley’s historic cities and elevate Nepal’s cultural pride onto the global stage.
