Nepal Magar Women’s Association, Rupandehi, is set to host the First Magar Literary Festival on December 6 and 7.
According to Yam Rana, a secretariat member and coordinator of the publicity committee, a series of preparatory events have been scheduled. These include a panel discussion topic selection and preparation meeting on November 20, an orientation for volunteers on November 23, a full meeting of the organizing committee on November 29, and a press conference on December 1.
The festival aims to promote the preservation of the Magar community’s language, literature, history, and traditions. It will feature a poetry recitation competition, an art exhibition, a book fair, a display of ancient artifacts, and the presentation of research papers on various topics.
Rana further stated that the event will see participation from Magar writers, artists, and personalities from various disciplines across Nepal. A 101-member main organizing committee and several subcommittees have been formed to oversee the event. Additionally, over a dozen subcommittees have been established in various countries to involve the Nepali diaspora and ensure the festival’s success.
According to Shankar Gaha, spokesperson for the festival’s main organizing committee, the poetry recitation competition will be conducted in the three Magar languages: Dhut, Kham, and Kaike. Winners will receive cash prizes of NPR 10,000, NPR 5,000, and NPR 3,000 for first, second, and third place, respectively. Two consolation prizes will also be awarded, and all participants will be recognized with monetary incentives as a token of encouragement.
The festival will also honor contributors to literature and society by presenting the Adi Kavi Jitbahadur Sinjali Magar Literary Award and the Gorebahadur Khapangi Magar Social Award, as informed by Nirmala Thapa, coordinator of the festival’s main organizing committee and president of the Nepal Magar Women’s Association, Rupandehi.
