Nepal Art and Culture Festival 2025 Begins in Kathmandu

Nepal Art and Culture Festival 2025 Begins in Kathmandu

Nepal’s first-ever “Nepal Art and Culture Festival–2025” began on Friday.

President Ramchandra Paudel inaugurated the festival during an official ceremony held at the Nepal Art Council, Babarmahal. At the ceremony, President Paudel emphasized that both government and private sectors must take equal initiative in preserving and promoting the arts, culture, and heritage that represent Nepal on the global stage.

He remarked, “In a democracy, people from all professions and backgrounds have equal opportunity. It is our shared duty to use this opportunity wisely by protecting and promoting our ancient heritage, arts, and culture.”

The President also pointed out that millions of tourists visit Nepal every year to study, observe, and research its cultural heritage. He urged heritage enthusiasts to remain vigilant about preservation.

Remarks from the Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation

Minister Badriprasad Pandey highlighted that the festival should be used as a significant opportunity to present Nepal’s cultural identity at the international level.

He said, “This kind of festival is important to share stories about Nepal’s culture, nature, and the contributions of our ancestors to its preservation with the world.”

The Minister also announced that the festival would be included in Nepal’s annual calendar and organized in a more expanded and systematic way every year.

Views from Nepal Tourism Board

Deepak Raj Joshi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nepal Tourism Board, shared that Nepal is often recognized for mountain and adventure tourism. However, through this festival, Nepal is being presented as a “treasure house of arts and cultural heritage.”

He further said that even though some months are considered “off-season” for tourism, such cultural exhibitions can still attract visitors.

“Our unique culture, if preserved and promoted worldwide, will not only increase tourism income but also contribute directly to Nepal’s prosperity,” he added.

Contribution of Nepal Art Council

Sagarshamsher Rana, Chairman of the Nepal Art Council, explained that such cultural festivals hold immense importance not only for Nepal but also globally. The Council aims to expand it into a “global cultural festival.”

Highlights of the Festival

• Duration: 23 days

• Locations: Various places across the four cities of Kathmandu Valley—Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur

• Programs: Over 40 events

• Exhibitions: 273 artworks by 154 artists

• Attractions: Cultural exhibitions, traditional skills, music and dance, local cuisines, and living culture experiences

The festival is jointly organized by Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Art Council, and Hotel Association Nepal (HAN), in cooperation with local authorities and private sectors of the Kathmandu Valley. It coincides with the celebration of Indra Jatra and will continue until 11 Ashwin.

With the theme “Celebrating Nepal’s Eternal Arts, Culture, Cuisine, and Heritage,” the festival aims to transform the historic cities of the Valley into festive spaces and promote Nepal’s cultural pride globally along with tourism.