Two-Day Newa Festival Begins in Patan

Lalitpur. A two-day Newa festival has started in Mangalbazar, Patan, organized by the Yal Newa Samaj Lalitpur. In order to promote their language, art, and original culture, Newar communities scattered around the world organize such festivals at various times, and this program has also started in Lalitpur.

The Yal Newa Samaj has stated that the festival will showcase the handicrafts, copper art, sculpture, and stone art of the ethnic communities of Patan, as well as promote original Newari food and culture. According to NaniKaji Shakya, president of the Yal Newa Samaj, this festival is not a trade fair but purely a presentation of the traditional skills of Patan's ethnic societies. There are a total of 21 ethnic societies in Patan.

During the festival, a seminar will be conducted on the rights of indigenous tribes provided by the Bagmati Province Government, and information will also be given about the importance of the Newa script, the organizers said. This festival has been organized with the sponsorship of Lalitpur Metropolitan City Ward No. 16.

Photographs taken by Suryams Upreti for Nepal Photo Library: