Brussels: The Embassy of Nepal, in collaboration with Mithila Centre USA and European External Action Service, opened ‘Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage’ in Brussels on June 9. This event brought together Nepal’s ancient Mithila art into conversation with the UN SDGs. Around hundred distinguished guests, including Ambassadors, representatives from Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, high-level EU officials, diplomats, Mithila Artists, media persons and Nepali diaspora, joined in marking the occasion.
The Embassy stated that presenting Mithila heritage through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the event forged a remarkable connection between indigenous cultural heritage and the global development agenda.
The formal program commenced with the playing of the national anthem of Nepal and EU. This was then followed by the joint lighting of Panas by H.E. Sewa Lamsal, Ambassador of Nepal to the BENELUX countries; Dominic Porter, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at EEAS, H.E. Pierre Cartuyvels, Head of Protocol at the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation; and Amit Pratap Shah, Founding President and Executive Director of Mithila Center USA.
In her opening remarks, Ambassador Lamsal welcomed the guests and presented an overview of rich and colourful Mithila art tradition. She underscored the importance of Mithila art not merely as a cultural asset but as a development tool, a diplomatic instrument, and a wellspring of national pride. By tracing its origin to the ancient civilizational heartland of the Mithila region, she recalled how women painted on earthen walls and mud floors centuries before the existence of galleries or museums, using natural pigments derived from turmeric, indigo, rice powder, and lampblack. The Ambassador highlighted Nepal’s commitment to preserving this living heritage and warmly invited the international community to visit Nepal to experience the art form in its truest element. She also expressed her gratitude to the EEAS for their support in organizing the event. She concluded her remarks by thanking Mithila Center USA for their vital support and advocacy in keeping this profound tradition alive and paid tribute to the generations of women artists whose nameless contributions sustained this living heritage.
Deputy Managing Director Porter from EEAS congratulated Ambassador Lamsal and team for bringing the beauty and profundity of Mithila heritage to Brussels. While acknowledging Nepal’s sustained commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030, he reaffirmed the commitment of the EU as a steadfast partner of Nepal in achieving the goals.
H.E. Cartuyvels from Belgian MFA highlighted the warm and cordial relation of Nepal and Belgium and expressed his admiration for the artworks created by the Mithila women artists.
Founding President Shah from Mithila Centre USA shared his personal journey of Mithila Art and its representation in the international stage, including at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Shah shared the organization’s visionary objective to establish permanent Museums of Mithila Arts across global regions.
Ambassador Lamsal honoured the Mithila artists and representatives from Mithila Centre USA, S.C. Suman, Amit Pratap Shah, Nawal Kishor Yadav, Prateek S. Rayamajhi, and Shivangi Singh with Mithila Khada, an imprinted scarf with traditional Mithila Folk art, for their significant contribution in promoting the Mithila art. Along with the above-mentioned artists, the artworks of Manisa Shah and Sunaina Thakur were also on the display during the exhibition.
The Speakers and Ambassadors were also presented with the Mithila Khada, as a token of honour.
The program also featured a live cultural performance by the Nepali and Mithila artists. Dressed in traditional attire, the artists performed the traditional Maithili Dance Jhihjiya and Nepali folk dance, captivating the audience with their magnificence.
The program concluded with a taste of Mithila cuisine, which included Thekuwa, Kachari, Makhana Chat, Phopi, Fulauri, Mango, and Lassi. The distinguished guests engaged warmly with the colorful and intricate Mithila paintings and toured the exhibition with great interest.
