The Pokhara International Theatre Festival, established in 2019, is a prestigious theatre event that has played a significant role in establishing Nepal on the international theatre stage. By promoting Pokhara's cultural identity to the world, the festival serves as a powerful platform to bring together theatre artists from various countries. The festival includes the staging of exceptional plays from Nepal and other nations, workshops, interactions, and cultural exchange programs. It has helped establish Pokhara not just as a center of natural beauty, but also as an artistic and cultural destination.
In the context of the declaration of 2025 as the 'Pokhara Tourism Year' by the Pokhara Metropolitan City, this year's festival aims to connect more effectively with tourism promotion. The festival will not only offer an opportunity to watch plays but also serve as an important platform for promoting Pokhara's cultural heritage, lifestyle, and arts.
The Pokhara International Theatre Festival 2025 is a convergence of art, culture, and tourism, which will not only advance Nepal’s theatre scene internationally but also highlight Pokhara as a multi-dimensional cultural hub.
Director's Note:
In 2019, when I first directed the Pokhara International Theatre Festival, it was a defining moment. Bringing an international theatre festival to Pokhara was our dream, and witnessing it coming to life filled me with immense pride. Now, as we continue this journey, I am even more thrilled to elevate the festival, making it richer, more impactful, and deeply connected to cultural tourism.
Theatre is more than entertainment—it is a reflection of society and a force for change. It compels us to think, feel, and evolve. This year, we embrace theatre as a bridge between cultures, showcasing Pokhara’s artistic essence on the global stage.
This festival is not just a celebration of performances but a movement to amplify Pokhara’s cultural identity worldwide. With your support, we will make this vision a reality.
Pariwartan
Festival Director
Pokhara International Theatre Festival-2025
Pokhara International Theatre Festival-2025
Schedule:
| S.N | Program Title | Date | Time | Venue | Programme Outline |
| 1 | Opening Ceremony | March 22, | 11:00 AM | Pokhara Theatre | Art parade:Culture on the streets A Moving Spectacle of Culture & Art! This grand parade will not just be a walk but a vibrant artistic journey through the streets of Pokhara, showcasing Nepal’s diverse cultural heritage, traditional music, and theatrical expressions. Parade Route: Pokhara Theatre → Mahendrapul → New Road → Prithvi Chowk → Naya Bazaar → Chipledhunga → Back to Pokhara Theatre |
| March 22, | 01:00 PM | Pokhara Theatre | Formal Opening Ceremony Theatrical Performance: Muna Madan (A timeless masterpiece by Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota) Speech by the Chief Guest | ||
| 2 | Asch | March 23 | 5:00 PM | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | Drama Performance by Tunisia |
| The Stage is Calling You | March 23 | 3:00 PM | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | Dailouge Program with theatre artist | |
| 3 | The Charming Jinju Opera | March 24 | 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | Drama Performance by China |
| Pokhara: The Hub of Cultural Trousim | March 24 | 12:00 pm | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | Interactive Program in the Context of Pokhara Trousim Yera 2025 | |
| 4 | The Rose | March 25 | 5:00 PM | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | Drama Performance by Norway and Nepali |
| EMBRYONIC | March 25 | 03:00 PM - | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | Drama Performance by Indreni Theatre Pokhara | |
| Festival Insights: Review & Reflections | March 25 | 3:30 -4:30 PM | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | An Interactive session on Festival Experiences | |
| Closing Ceremony | March 25 | 06:30-07:30 PM | Pokhara Theatre (Gandharva Natakghar) | Featuring cultural performances Honor Ceremony | |
| 5 | Exhibitions & Displays | March 22-25 | Durung the Festival | Theatre Courtyard | Costume & Props Exhibition Art & Painting Exhibition Handicraft Exhibition Book Exhibition Photography Exhibition Food Exhibition Classical Musical Instruments & Live Demonstrations |
| 6 | Theatre Workshops | March 23-25 | 7:30 AM - 09:00 AM | Training Hall | Acting, directing, Design |
| 7 | Little Stars of Theatre | March 23-25 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Training Hall | "Win the Stage" Challenge (March 24, 2025) "You Be the Director" Workshop (March 25, 2025) "On-the-Spot Drama Challenge" (March 27, 2025) |
| 8 | "Rhythms of Nepali Instruments: A Tourist Experience" | March 23-25 | 2:30 Pm - 4:30 PM | Training Hall | The Objective of this program is to provide tourist with a direct experience of Nepali's cultural heritage by teaching them to play traditional Nepali Instruments such as the madal, bansuri and sarangi. |
