Kathmandu: The Embassy of Nepal, in collaboration with the Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society, organized ‘Nepal Festival 2026’ at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka on May 15. The Festival featured a ‘Food Fest’ as well as a ‘Cultural Programme’ aimed at showcasing Nepal’s diverse culinary and cultural traditions.
Ghanshyam Bhandari, Ambassador of Nepal to Bangladesh, spoke at the inaugural session stating that The Festival featured a ‘Food Fest’ as well as a ‘Cultural Programme’ aimed at showcasing Nepal’s diverse culinary and cultural traditions.
In his remarks, Chief Guest Nitai Roy Chowdhury, Minister for Cultural Affairs of Bangladesh, 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.
SK Rezauddin Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy; Padma Raj Dhakal, Chancellor of Pokhara Academy; and Moshiur Ahmed, General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, 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 a Nepali gazal, alongside Bangladeshi folk dances and musical performances.
Chief Guest Minister 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.
