| Spiny
Babbler aims to make available worldwide comprehensive
information regarding the arts, particularly Nepalese
arts. For this, it has been carrying out research
and documentation on Nepal's contemporary and traditional
arts. The contemporary arts sector covers the works
of writers, poets, and artists and information has
been collected on leading Nepalese creators. Spiny
Babbler has also made presentations of their works
on the world wide web and is continuing to document
the lives and works of Nepalese creators.
A
presentation on "The Use of New Technologies
in Nepalese Arts," was especially held for
Nepalese creators and a workshop "Research
and Documentation in the Arts" was held for
young people to carry out research on deceased
creators. Spiny Babbler brought out Selected Poems
of Nepal which covers 11 key Nepalese poets and
a selection of their best works. In 2001, Spiny
Babbler held a nationwide poetry festival in several
areas of Nepal. Creators were invited to participate
in readings and information was collected on their
works.
The
traditional arts sector covers centuries old art
forms (stone, metal, terra cotta, wooden, paintings,
weavings) of Nepal. Research has been carried
out on collecting information on these art forms
and through photographic documentation, various
aspects of these art forms have been presented
on Spiny Babbler's web site. The World Heritage
Sites and other art complexes are also part of
the presentation of Nepal's traditional arts sector.
Information especially regarding the music, art,
and theatre sectors is found to be scarce and
Spiny Babbler is networking with different key
persons and organizations in order to carry out
research in these areas.
In
order to introduce the works of Nepalese creators
to an international audience, Spiny Babbler has
started the Cultured Tourist Program, which is
held during the fall and spring sessions. The
program has been carried out in cooperation with
Nepal's leading tourism establishments. At Hotel
De L' Annapurna, Spiny Babbler held week-long
art exhibitions as well as a comprehensive arts
related event every week. The event featured live
traditional and contemporary music, a talk by
a leading Nepalese writer and a reading of his
or her work in English as well as an opening of
an art exhibit, interaction with the artist and
a short 15 to 30 minute play. The exhibits and
the events took place in a prominent space such
as the lobby or the hall. At Hotel Yak and Yeti,
specific displays such as the Spiny Babbler Display
of Newari Woodcraft featured carvers from well
established family lines, who showed their skills
live six days a week. Poetry readings on leading
Nepalese poets have also been carried out in key
sites in Thamel, the country's most frequently
visited tourist area.
The
objectives of the national program are identified
as:
| - |
To
document the history, process, lifestyle,
and status of different arts fields (music,
art, theatre, literature) of Nepal and make
available the information worldwide. |
| - |
To
network with Nepalese creators and encourage
them to become involved in the use of modern
technologies that will help facilitate their
work. |
| - |
To
document the lives and works of Nepalese creators
and their contribution to the different arts
fields. |
| - |
To
introduce Nepal's cultural heritage to an
international audience through the Cultured
Tourist Program. |
Other
efforts of the national program are the Swasthani
Festival and the Youth Literature Festival. The
Swasthani Festival features talks, a play, a live
presentation of the traditional rites, and readings
of religious text. Through this event, international
visitors learn about a very integral part of Nepalese
culture and lifestyle. Young people are encouraged
to participate in the Youth Literature Festival
where they contribute their creations, learn about
the present status in writing and publishing,
and attend presentations by visiting editors,
writers, scholars, artists, and musicians.
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COLLECTIBLES