A national workshop on the implementation of Convention on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) 2003 commenced at the Annapurna Hotel on April 16. Veteran culture-expert and Vice Chairman of Intangible Cultural Council, Satya Mohan Joshi, Japanese ambassador to Nepal Kunio Takahasi and UNESCO Nepal Representative Axel Plathe inaugurated the ceremony by jointly lighting the traditional oil-lamp. Plathe asked the workshop participants to think on how to safeguard these intangible cultural heritages of Nepal.

Expressing his delight to have assisted the program, Japanese ambassador Takahasi said that ICH can develop tourism of a country. Veteran culture-expert Satya Mohan Joshi said the workshop would benefit to create awareness and consciousness regarding ICH. Regional trainers for the workshop, Shubha Chowdhury and Suzanne Ogge, are to share her ideas on safeguarding these intangible cultural heritages.

Joint secretary of Ministry of Federal Affairs, Constituent Assembly, Parliamentary Affairs and Culture, Bishnu Karki said that the National Cultural Policy, 2067 BS focused on social access to the heritage and on unity in diversity.

The first and the only contemporary circus in Nepal, Circus Kathmandu organized their first fundraising performance at Bulls Club on Friday April 20. The event featured a 13-member troupe from the Kathmandu based NGO Esther Benjamins Memorial Foundation (EBMF). The members have been through rigorous training to prepare for their event under the guidance of professional international trainers from Australia, Canada, UK, France and Switzerland. Together, they developed a routine with daring aerial silk presentations, dance trapeze and abilities including acrobatics, juggling, puppetry, hoola-hoops and clowning.

This fundraising performance also showcased Aman and Bijay, Nepal’s most talented gymnasts. Both of the young gymnasts represented Nepal and are gold medalists from the 6th National Games held in Dhangadi.

The funds collected from this event are to help the continuation of the vocational training program by the trust. Other objectives of this program include the funding for troupes’ social circus workshops, to engage young people and families with innovative circus acts, and to educate people on the dangers of trafficking through outreach to the general public.

The Esther Benjamin Trust is a leading UK registered charity that focuses on the improvement of lives of Nepal’s most vulnerable children and young people. (Sadichchha Dhakhwa)