One country, many stories: Melbourne’s Nepal Festival to showcase food, music, art and culture

Always wanted to find out what Nepal is like or never heard of Nepal? If you live in Melbourne, here’s your chance to learn more about the country through a free event in Federation Square on Saturday 15 December.

Source: Facebook/Nepal Festival Melbourne

What do the T20 cricket teams in Australia, Nepal, India, Pakistan and the Carribean have in common? The answer is a 20-year-old spin bowling sensation from Nepal who is currently playing for teams in these countries.

Sandeep Lamichhane, who learnt how to bowl watching Shane Warne videos, is currently in Melbourne to play for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League competition that begins next week.

The former Australian captain Michael Clarke mentee, will be joining members of 41 local Nepali community organisations for a morning parade in the heart of Melbourne to showcase what their country of birth has to offer.

Nepal Festival Parade in Melbourne Source: SBS Nepali

The parade that will begin at the State Library will kick off Nepal Festival 2018 at Federation Square in the city.

Festival organisers say the parade will feature the distinct and vibrant nature of Nepal’s ethnic and cultural diversity.

Many ethnic groups and their culture will be on show including Buddha on a chariot, Kumari the living goddess and Lakhe the folklore demon.

Different types of musical instruments that many would have never seen before will also be a part of the parade.

Source: SBS Nepali

Along with the live music and many food stalls the day long free event will also feature a Nepali cultural village.

“Visitors at Federation Square will be able to walk through a cultural village designed to show Nepal's diverse culture and regions", says Keshav Kandel, a member of the festival organising team.

Source: Facebook/Nepal Festival

Held every two years in capital cities around Australia, the Nepal festival’s primary goal is to promote the country among Australians through food, music from renowned artists, arts and cultural presentations.

“One country, many stories’, is the central theme of the festival and it will show Australians what multicultural Nepal is all about”, says Kandel.

"The event will also give locals a chance to understand Victoria's Nepali community", he says.

Source: SBS Nepali

Nepal Festival was first held in Melbourne in 2008, and the event itself has changed a lot since then.

“Back then the community was small, and many people from the community had to spend their own money to make the event a success”, says Kandel.

Nepal Festival 2018 kicked off in Brisbane on 17 November followed by Sydney on 24 November.

Source: Facebook/ Nepal Festival