Wanna go Christmas shopping? Read on
Nepal has an abundance of fabulous festivals and here is one more for the celebration calendar. And even if you are not celebrating Christmas, Christmas markets act as a one-stop-shop for gift-hunters! Not only a big shopping opportunity, these markets are great social events to mingle with people from all walks of life. The markets mentioned here are not the only ones in town so check out venues near you!
The GIZ Christmas Bazaar offers an opportunity to purchase goods from fair trade vendors
The Kathmandu Chorale host their annual Holiday Concert on Dec 8, Saturday
Awon Christmas Bazaar
This is among the pioneers of Christmas markets in Kathmandu. AWON, or Active Women of Nepal, is a non-profit organisation that aims to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged women and children. This year sees the Awon Christmas Bazaar head to a new venue. Over the years, as new markets joined the Christmas calendar, the AWON Bazaar lost some of its sparkle. So let’s see whether the new location can bring life back into this long-established event.
What to expect: Goods on display include a range of items mainly from not-for-profit vendors. Food stalls have been a feature in the past.
The details: Saturday Dec 1, 10am to 5pm, Soaltee Crown Plaza. Rs100 for adults, Rs50 for children.
GIZ Fair Trade Christmas Bazaar
GIZ is a German INGO which has been working in Nepal since 1974 in more than 60 districts. The GIZ Fair Trade Christmas Bazaar offers an opportunity to purchase goods from fair trade vendors—from Christmas decorations to items for children and the home.
What to expect: Artisans will be on hand with live demonstrations to inform and entertain the whole family. Children will have the opportunity to block print their own Christmas cards. The International Club offers room for children to run around and food, including Gluhwein (hot, spiced wine) and German delicacies, will be available.
The details: Saturday Dec 1, 11am to 5pm, at the International Club, Sanepa. Entrance free.
Summit Hotel Christmas Bazaar
This is another pioneer of the Christmas market scene in Kathmandu. And perhaps it offers the most in terms of Christmas ambiance. Again, the vast majority of goods on sale are from non-profit vendors but there is a wide range of other goods such as silver jewellery, face and body products, pashminas etc as well.
What to expect: Come in daylight hours when it’s warmer or come after dark when the twinkling lights and the sound of the Kathmandu Choral singing fills the air. There are dozens of stalls selling everything one could want to make Christmas special, including authentic Christmas cake. Plenty of food and drink is available in the garden, or take advantage of the hotel’s warm bar and restaurant.
The details: Sunday Dec 9, noon to 8pm at the Summit Hotel, Sanepa. Free entrance.
Ecole Française International de Katmandou (the French School)
This is the first time the French School will be hosting a Christmas market, so here is an opportunity for those of us who have not been there to take a look around their green environment! As the school is focused on French education in Nepal, they have brought a French theme to Christmas with a host of French vendors, shops, artists, and restaurants.
What to expect: French and local produce, including gifts, children’s toys, jewellery, leather craft, etc. To keep the children occupied there will be face painting, bouncy castle, and other activities and games. Food and drink will have a French theme and includes a barbeque and French Himalayan cheeses, including Raclette (hot melted cheese).
The details: Saturday Dec 1, 10am to 4pm at the school premises, Lazimpat. Free entrance.
Le Sherpa
While not a Christmas market as such, Le Sherpa will add additional Christmas themed gift stalls to their usual Saturday market.
What to expect: In addition to fresh produce, there will be Christmas themed stalls and goodies. Plenty of space for children to run around in and if it all becomes too much, parents can always escape to Le Sherpa restaurant for brunch.
The details: Saturday Dec 1, 8 and 15, 8.30am till 12.30pm, Le Sherpa premises, Panipokhari. Free entrance.
The Local Project
Bringing together local artisans The Local Project is hosting three Christmas Markets at different locations.
What to expect: Beautifully crafted and unique gifts all made in Nepal.
The details: Friday Nov 30, 6 to 10pm, at Evoke; Saturday Dec 8, 2 to 6pm at Moksh; Saturday Dec 15, 4 to 8pm at Basecamp. Free entrance.
Festivals also Need Music!
Where and When: The Kathmandu Chorale will be hosting their annual Holiday Concert on Saturday Dec 8, at the British School at 3pm and 6pm. Free admission, charity donations welcome.
Christmas Treats!
What’s a festival without some yummy treats? Check out the Annapurna Hotel, Shangri-la Hotel and the Radisson Hotel cake shops for Christmas inspired cookies and cakes. Lakuri Bakery (Soma Café, Baluwatar) will once again be making their Christmas cupcakes, chocolate Yule logs and iced Christmas cookies. Meanwhile, Hermans Bakery (Sanepa) will be baking Christmas inspired goodies; as will bakeries in your neighbourhood!
Merry Christmas!
“Barud Mathi Udda”: Captain Thapa’s chronicle of insurgency
“Barud Mathi Udda”, a literary work of Captain Rameshwor Thapa being published by Bookhill Publication, will hit the bookstands in the first week of December.
The book is based on the pilot and entrepreneur’s extensive flying career, including during the 10 years of the Maoist insurgency. Thapa had as a pilot back then saved the lives of numerous army personnel. According to him, the book offers vivid portrayals of the battlefields and describes his experience of flying during those tumultuous times.
Former AIG Rajendra Bahadur Singh offers insight into Thapa’s role during the Maoist rebellion. “The pilots in the army were not able to supply arms and ammunition to the contingent that was defending the village of Khara from the Maoist forces. Notwithstanding the challenge presented by the chaotic battle, Captain Thapa was able to safely land the aircraft, ensuring that the army had enough supplies and that the injured got essential medical care. Were it not for him, the battle at Khara would have taken a heavy toll on Nepal Army.”
Singh isn’t the only one to appreciate Thapa’s flying prowess. Nepal Police DSP Yogeshwor Rom Thami says in the book, “Captain Thapa’s audacity and skillful maneuvers helped us survive Maoist sieges many times.”
The book provides descriptions of Thapa’s flying experiences throughout Nepal. It revisits Thapa’s rescue and supply missions in various corners of the then war-torn Nepal such as Khara, Rukum; Bhimad, Sindhuli; Bethan, Ramechhap; and Nomu, Dailekh.
It is also a rich story that explains Thapa’s life-altering experiences and frustrations that characterize his journey
But the book is more than just a compendium of Thapa’s experiences during the Maoist insurgency. It is also a rich story that explains Thapa’s life-altering experiences and frustrations that characterize his journey from a kid born into an ordinary farming family to the renowned entrepreneur that he is today. The book has been edited by Rajaram Gautam, former editor of the Annapurna Post.
Women at the center of the ‘Butterfly Effect’
The aptly named Butterfly Effect, whereby even the smallest of changes today can alter or even revolutionize the future, is helping raise awareness about gender-based violence, sexuality, and human rights through music.
The Butterfly Effect is bringing together female- headed bands in a celebratory concert, part of its three-phase event that also involves key personnel and celebrities pledging their support through hashtags and photographs over social media. Donations raised through the Celebration Phrase of live concert will be utilized in awareness programs in urban and rural areas of the country. Videos of the concert will appear on TV and social media to further spread the word.
Organized by Sangeet Pathshala, in association with Dristi Nepal, a non-profit working for women affected by drugs, HIV and AIDs, the concert will feature Nattu with 11.11 OST, Samriddhi Rai, Mental Radio, Somiya Baraily, Space, Didi Bahini, Faithom, and Superfuzz. The Annapurna Express is the media partner for the event.
Gear up for Nepal Literature festival
The seventh edition of the Nepal Literature Festival being held on December 22-25 in Lakeside, Pokhara, will feature prominent writers and literary luminaries from across South Asia like Namita Ghokale, Gurcharan Das, Manjushree Thapa, Prajwal Parajuli and Mohammed Hanif.
Prominent Indian writer Gurcharan Das is going to launch his new book during the festival. Festival coordinator Rabin Giri says that the event will also feature a ‘master workshop’ by British graphic novelist Dr. Nicola Streeten, a photo exhibition by photo.circle as well as an art exhibition.
Giri says the festival will deal with topics like literature and democracy, women violence and economy, and topics that are not directly related to literature.
“We organizers believe that literature is an invaluable tool to inspect our society,” Giri says.
The festival is being sponsored by the IME Group. Its Managing Director Hem Raj Dhakal said that the group has always been always willing to work on creative still. “Since we have been offering scholarships to students from financially weak families and helping earthquake-affected families fund their children’s education, our interest in education and literacy seems to align with that of Bookworm’s,” Dhakal says.
On being asked about the choice of the venue, Pokhara, festival director Ajit Baral replied, “The environment of Pokhara is clean and majestic, making it a perfect place for the participating authors and guests to see the festival like a vacation experience, free from pollution and noise of overly-urbanized cities like Kathmandu.”
Bookworm has been hosting the Nepal Literature Festival since 2011. What started as an event featuring 75 literary figures, mostly from Nepal, has now turned into a major literature festival of South Asia, with 130 prominent writers, journalists and other literary luminaries participating at the last event in 2017.
“This upward trend is evident not only in the number of participating authors, but is also noticed in the number of visitors, which has soared from 1,000 in 2011 to 25,000 in 2017,” Giri says.
