KATHMANDU, Dec 25: Pokhara is hosting 19th Pokhara Street Festival from Thursday to bid adieu to the year 2017 and welcome 2018.
Restaurant and Bar Association Nepal (REBAN) Pokhara is organizing the festival for the past 18 years to promote Pokhara as a New Year destination for both Nepalis and foreign tourists. The festival will continue till January 1.
Organizing a press meet in Kathmandu on Sunday, the organizers said that the five-day event will have various cultural programs, stage shows, stalls of food and beverages, and other fun-filled events.
High spirits at Pokhara street festival
Speaking at the program, Chau Bahadur Gurung, president of REBAN Pokhara, said that the festival will be organized in a 3.5-kilometer stretch of Lakeside - from Khahare to Komagane Park. “There will be cultural performances from all seven provinces. Besides, we will have cultural shows from India, South Korea, China and Japan too,” Gurung said.
According to the organizers, Santar culture of Jhapa (Province No. 1), Maithali culture from Janakpur (Province No. 2), Newari culture from Kathmandu (Province No. 3), Gurung culture from Pokhara (Province No. 4), Tharu dance from Bardiya (Province No. 5), Humleli dance from (Province No. 6) and Deuda culture from Dadeldhura (Province No. 7) will be the major attraction of the festival.
Besides, the organizers are showcasing Indian cultural show in coordination with Indian Embassy, Korean cultural show in coordination with South Korean Embassy, Chinese cultural show in coordination with Nepal-China Cultural Council and Japanese cultural show in coordination with Japan.
“We will have stalls of agricultural produce as well. There will be stalls of oranges grown in Syangja, Kaski, Parbat, Tanahun and Gorkha will,” he said, adding: “Cultural performance will begin from 1 pm and continue till 11 pm,”
As part of security arrangement, the organizers are installing 28 CCTV cameras in different locations. “Similarly, Nepal Police is deploying 300 police personnel, while we have arranged 250 private security guards,” Gurung added.
Similarly, Nepal Mediciti Hospital will provide free health check-up during the event. According to Gurung, the major attractions of the event will be national and international food stalls, live music, cultural dance, handicrafts stalls, sporting events and art exhibitions, among others.
The event is promoted by Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), while Nagarik daily and Image Channel are the official media.
