Himalayan and Nepal Arts and Culture Society (https://hanacs.org/) lead, Mr Alan Mercel-Sanca (https://hanacs.org/alan-mercel-sanca/) is delighted to share the news of a major development in the strengthening of Nepal – Ireland friendship and special relations. This is that work by Alan and HANACS, initiated originally through discussion Alan and Mr Saroj Mahato, a Kathmandu-based HANCACS Advisor, and former UNESCO Nepal Cultural and Creative Industries Coordinator (https://hanacs.org/saroj-mahato/) had two years ago in which the opportunity for UNESCO Nepal and UNESCO Ireland connecting to enable cultural and arts was discussed, UNESCO Nepal Country Director/Head of Office, Mr Michael Croft expressed his formal and strong support for that connecting.  

Now, very recently this was communicated by Alan to Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the OECD and UNESCO (Mr Gerard Keown), with all connection enablement complete. UNESCO interconnecting is especially important as it covers educational, scientific, and cultural remits and provides a very high level setting for this, especially important as neither Ireland or Nepal have physical presence embassies in their respective capitals.  HANACS (half of whose Board members are Irish or permanent residents of the Republic of Ireland) is looking forward to play its part on next steps in support to potential UNESCO practical collaboration between the two countries, with Mr Croft particularly highlighting the UNESCO Creative Cities section (Dublin has now been for a number of years a UNESCO City of Literature, whilst last year Kathmandu moved for recognition as a UNESCO City of Film).  

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A further development opportunity for profiling Nepali culture that has just taken place in Dublin, has been that of HANACS board member Deepak Tamrakar (https://hanacs.org/deepak-tamrakar/) contributing an outstandingly well received contribution to the annual India Independence Day cultural programme in famous Merrion Square Park.  This as a result of Deepak’s support to the Nepal – Ireland Day 2024 cultural programme at Farmleigh jointly organised by Nepal Ireland Society and NRNA Ireland.

At the India Day programme Mr Bal Krishna Shresta (Nepal Ireland Society lead) was recognised by the programme organiser the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland, (FICI) as the only non-Indian, but South Asian community with khada presentation.

The significance of Nepali cultural dance (to the background of the wonderful iconic Ma hu Nepali Babu song) performed by HANACS team member Deepak, being an initiative that HANACS Lead Alan is engaged on to develop a pan-South Asian community Tihar/Diwali/Festival of Lights festival for central Dublin, with support from amongst others the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Donna Cooney.

This intercultural initiative is intended to bring all the peoples of Ireland’s capital city together to learn more about each others cultures and arts, and to bring year-round benefits in regard to enhanced integration opportunities for Nepali, Indian, and other South Asian communities.  

FICI’s MC of the event (Ms Bindhu) providing a wonderful introductory address of welcome to Deepak noting his very important educational work on sharing Nepali culture and about Nepali home cookery with Western people, that had in formal notes been praised by Nepal’s Prime Minister the very Honourable Mr KP Sharma Oli (see: https://nepaliculturalheritage.com/supportive-good-wishes-dedications/ and https://foodsofnepal.com/dedications-formal-notes-of-best-wishes/). 

Such developments tangibly assist the important work of the INCC CC and Nepal Ireland Society, and offer further prospects through work by those at HANACS such as Alan Mercel-Sanca and Deepak Tamrakar in regard to further sharing of Nepali culture and working across communities for greater intercultural learning and enhanced integration.