Credit: AEIN

Luxembourg-based associations and non-government agencies working in Nepal has announced the first Nepal Festival taking place on Saturday 1 October 2022 from 12:00 to 19:00 at Home FNEL at 61a Rue de Trèves, L-2630 Luxembourg-Cents.

The event aims to raise awareness and inform about Nepal, a small landlocked country between India and China, but also the difficulties that its inhabitants encounter, and the solutions that are put in place by local organisations. The participating agencies will share their causes in Nepal as well.

Cultural programmes with music and traditional dances will be organised throughout the day. A 20-minute short film, Ragini, featuring a young Nepalese woman who was the victim of trafficking, will be screened at 13:00, to raise awareness, followed by a round table discussion on "Improvements and future challenges of girls rights in Nepal" (in English) from 14:00 to 15:30.

A cooking workshop from 15:30 to 17:30, for registered participants, will be organised by Les Amis du Tibet, Luxembourg. Yangki and her husband will share the art of making “momos”, small bite-sized dumplings made with a spoonful of stuffing wrapped in dough. Originated in Tibet, momos are now integrated part of Nepalese gastronomy. Registration for participation via email: amis-tibet@pt.lu.

A documentary film “I am Belmaya”, an inspiring tale of rebellion, courage and hope in patriarchal Nepal, will be screened from 16:00 to 17:30. It tells the story of Belmaya Nepali who, silenced and subjugated for most of her life, uneducated, takes to the camera to tell her story. Spanning fourteen years, Sue Carpenter and Belmaya Nepali's feature-length documentary follows Belmaya's transformative journey as she stands up to her husband and society and finds her voice again through filmmaking.

Parallel activities offered throughout the day includes:

  • Nepalkoffer workshop for children (and teachers): fun and educational activities will be offered to children around Nepal
  • Mithila art initiation workshop for children and adults: a traditional art form in Nepal
  • Photo exhibition “From Tibet to Nepal”
  • Voluntourism information stand
  • Outdoor games
  • Nepalese catering on site all day (paying)

The participating associations and non-government agencies are:

  • Aide à l’Enfance de l’Inde et du Népal, AEIN
  • Les Amis du Tibet. Luxembourg
  • ECPAT Luxembourg
  • ONGD-FNEL, Luxembourg
  • Coopération Humanitaire Luxembourg, CHL
  • Association Luxembourg-Népal
  • Life Project 4 Youth Luxembourg, LP4Y
  • Non-Resident Nepali Association Luxembourg, NRNA

The evening will be concluded with a series of traditional dances and music. Entry to the event is free.