The first-ever Nepalgunj Literature Festival is slated to kick off from Sunday, April 9. The literature fest, which is part of the ongoing Nepalgunj Festival, will see a host of litterateurs, academics, journalists and artists, who will engage in various panel discussions on issues ranging from gender equity and politics to culture and literature over the course of three days. The literature fest will feature prominent figures of Nepali literature in the likes of Amar Nyaupane, Ramlal Joshi, Nayan Raj Pandey, and Narayan Dhakal. 

Organised by Creative Hands Group, the fest will also have an array of events and games shows such as a Horse Race, a beauty pageant 

for pets, art exhibitions, an international film fest, and Ghazal recitals, among others.

“Nepalgunj is the second oldest city of Nepal, after Kathmandu. The city has a rich history and cultural diversity, the city is a heritage in itself. Which is what we aim to promote through this event,” said DS Thakuri, chairperson of organisers Creative Hands Group, speaking to the Post. 

Nepalgunj Festival, which itself started from Friday, April 7, hosted a cycling competition on its first day; while the second day of the fest had a discussion on 

Nepali dialects and scriptures hosted by Nepal Literature Academy; and the proceedings of the day wrapped up with Mushaira, a poetic symposium, wherein over two dozen poets from India and Nepal recited their Ghazals.

As Nepalgunj is notable for horses and carts, the fest will also see a horse riding competition, which, organisers claim, will be one of the highlights of the fest.

The last two days of the fest will see Nepalgunj International Film Festival, where more than 20 Nepali and foreign movies will be screened. The film fest which will award best movies in various categories will be inaugurated by superstar Rajesh Hamal on April 12. 

The Nepalgunj Festival will draw to a close on April 13, Thursday.