KATHMANDU, May 27: The Second Kathmandu Aksharaa International Children’s Theater Festival 2018 had its opening ceremony on Saturday on the premises of Aksharaa School, Kandaghari.

Renowned poet and playwright Abhi Subedi inaugurated the festival following the students presenting musical and cultural dance performances. Participants from 10 countries from various parts of Asia, Europe and Scandinavia have joined the festival. As for the opening, students clad in cultural attires walked a rally around the Kandaghari area in order to draw public attention to the event. The four-day festival will be hosting altogether 10 plays from the participating countries. The opening day staged children’s plays from Nepal and Bangladesh to be followed by Denmark, Sri Lanka and Switzerland on Sunday. Participants from Germany, Slovakia and India will stage plays on Monday followed by Indonesia and Pakistan on Tuesday.

“Interacting with children from other countries through such a cultural event is one of the best approaches to learn things effectively. We have been excited for the past two weeks since the rehearsal for this event and we feel quite energized even after the rally,” said Minisha Phuyal, seventh grader at Aksharaa School. “One of the Indonesian visitors was eagerly learning to speak in Nepali language and I believe this is how the event serves a special purpose to connect us despite our language barrier,” said Nepali teacher at Aksharaa School, Dhana Dahal.

The event not only aimed at enhancing cultural ties between the countries but also focused on honing children’s interpersonal and theatrical skills through a shared platform.  “It is my first time attending the festival and I am excited to visit Nepal for such a cause. My nine-year-old son Sultan Mikail Asadel is participating in a play called ‘Cindelaras’. So, I including my family have come here to support our child,” said Wilsa Saleh Malik, who came all the way from Indonesia.

The event also witnessed the participation of other local schools. “I am happy to be able to become a part of the event. Although I will not be participating in the play, I am hoping to get myself entertained watching actors on stage,” said Nitesh Kumar Mahato, a seventh grader at Gandhi Adarsha Madhyamik Bidhyalaya, Kageshwari.