Pokhara, 1 January | The United Club has officially announced the commencement of the 14th edition of the Pokhara Festival, a signature event designed to stimulate the local economy and promote social welfare. Under the central theme, “Youth’s Vigor, the Foundation of Nation Building,” the festival is scheduled to run from January 13 to January 25 (Poush 29 to Magh 11). Festival Coordinator Dinesh Sunar highlighted that the primary objectives of the event are to bolster sectors such as education, healthcare, sports, and tourism while fostering employment opportunities to contribute to the nation’s overall economic prosperity. Organizers have set an ambitious target of attracting approximately 220,000 visitors over the course of the thirteen-day event, emphasizing its role as a major cultural and commercial hub for the region.
The festival will feature 250 diverse stalls, offering a platform for the exhibition and sale of traditional handicrafts, local products, and tourism-related information. A significant portion of the event is dedicated to showcasing the rich art, culture, and traditions of various castes and ethnic groups, providing an educational experience for attendees. In a commendable move toward social inclusivity, the United Club has announced that individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, single women, foreign tourists, and children under the age of five will be granted free entry to the festival grounds. Furthermore, the event promises high-octane entertainment with a star-studded lineup of performers, including popular folk and modern artists such as Prakash Saput, Pashupati Sharma, and Samiksha Adhikari, alongside high-energy concerts by bands and artists like Sabin Rai, Vten, and Laure.
Beyond the cultural festivities, the 14th Pokhara Festival carries a deep social mission. Former President of the United Club, Raju Shrestha, revealed that the proceeds generated from the festival would be directly utilized for the construction of the United Hostel in Archale, Pokhara-27, a project aimed at supporting underprivileged students. Krishna Koirala, Chairman of the Amar Singh Secondary School Management Committee, assured the public that the festival has been organized in a manner that does not disrupt the school’s educational activities, acknowledging the club’s past contributions to the school’s infrastructure. Meanwhile, Madhav Baral, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Kaski, urged the organizers to conduct a rigorous self-evaluation to ensure the festival effectively meets its goals of revitalizing local businesses and preserving cultural identity, rather than becoming a purely commercial venture.
