The Cultured Tourist Program

  Annapura Times, October 2001

 

Hotel de L' Annapurna, in partnership with Spiny Babbler, is hosting the cultured tourist program at its tea lounge. The program aims to make Nepalese culture and arts better known to the world through the presentation of live traditional and contemporary music, exhibitions and modern art, the theatrical adaptations and performances in English and displays of traditional art. Test runs of the program started in mid 2001.

The Cultured Tourist Program was formally launched by Mr. Pradeep Raj Pandey, CEO, Nepal Tourist Board on October 8, 2001 at the Arch Room of Hotel de L' Annapurna. Mr. Pandey said that Nepal's cultural heritage is one of the strongest features that attract international visitors to the country. He also found it encouraging to see organizations like Spiny Babbler and Hotel de L' Annapurna involved in promoting Nepalese art and culture.

Pallav Ranjan, founder of Spiny Babbler, presented a talk on the organization's past role and evolvement in the arts. He said that the organization today was involved in comprehensive programs like education focus, multi-national involvement, etc., and that more than 100 youths were involved in the programs. Bairagi Kainla, life member of the Royal Nepal Academy, launched "Dark Flowers", a book of black and white artwork by Param Meyangbo. Shashi Shah, a veteran artist of Nepal, launched the stone exhibit by Nabin Shakya.

The Cultured Tourist Program makes available a comprehensive arts experience that international visitors can enjoy. It also involves Nepalese people to learn more about the rich content of their cultural wealth as well as provide national and international creators a forum through which they can share, exchange, and discuss their creations.