Kathmandu, March 5
The third edition of the Nepal International Theatre Festival (NITFEST) will take place not only in Kathmandu but also in Pokhara, Bharatpur, and Belbari. Organizer Mandala Theatre announced the expansion beyond the capital.
The festival will be held at Mandala Theatre in Kathmandu from March 19 to 25. In Pokhara, the Pokhara International Theatre Festival, organized by Pokhara Theatre, will take place from March 21 to 25 at Gairapatan-based Natak Ghar.
Similarly, the Chitwan International Theatre Festival, organized by Karmi Chautari Natya Samuha, will be hosted at Narayani Kala Mandir in Bharatpur from March 23 to 25. The Belbari International Theatre Festival, organized by Sirjana Ghar Belbari, will take place in Morang from March 24 to 25.
Festival coordinator Kedar Shrestha stated that the parallel theatre festivals in these three locations are being organized in collaboration with NITFEST. The festival will continue until March 26, coinciding with World Theatre Day. “Just as we aim to decentralize governance, we also seek to bring art and literature to every corner of the country, which is why we are preparing for the festival outside the valley,” Shrestha added.
The international theatre festival in Kathmandu will feature plays from 10 countries, along with workshops, discussion sessions, open-air performances, and indigenous musical presentations.
The third edition of NITFEST will be held under the theme “Theatre for Social Transformation: Illuminating Indigenous Knowledge.” The festival lineup is expected to be announced by Wednesday. Actor Dayahang Rai will serve as the festival director, and nearly 100 international theatre artists are expected to participate, according to Shrestha.
