Nepalese envoy calls on cultural affairs minister

Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari paid a courtesy call on Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury at his secretariat office in Dhaka on Sunday.

Deputy Chief of the mission Lalita Silwal accompanied the ambassador during the meeting, read a press release.

Issues, including deep historical relations, long-standing civilisational connections, and religious bonds between the two countries, were discussed aimed at strengthening bilateral cultural cooperation.

Particularly, they emphasised renewing and expanding the scope of the ongoing Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) 2022-2025, as its term is nearing completion.

Ambassador Ghanshyam invited the minister to attend as chief guest at the upcoming "Nepal Festival," scheduled to be held on 15 May at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The Embassy of Nepal and the Bangladesh-Nepal Friendship Society will jointly organise it.

He said a cultural troupe from Nepal's Pokhara Academy will perform at the festival, and a variety of Nepali cuisine will also be showcased.

Minister Nitai said cultural relations between Bangladesh and Nepal are very close, and the exchange of arts, heritage, and literature between the two nations serves as a bridge between their peoples.

He stressed the importance of formulating a modern and time-befitting new CEP, incorporating digital culture, creative industries, and intangible heritage. 

The minister also expressed interest in reviving literary cooperation between Bangla Academy and Nepal Academy, as well as translating literary works from both countries.

Ambassador Ghanshyam said Nepal places special importance on cultural and strategic partnership with Bangladesh. 

He also reaffirmed Nepal's continued participation in Dhaka's Asian Art Biennale and proposed joint initiatives to promote heritage tourism.

Both sides agreed on further strengthening bilateral relations through regular exchange visits of artists, researchers, and cultural representatives, as well as organising joint exhibitions.

Senior officials of the ministry and representatives from the Embassy of Nepal were also present at the meeting.