The Nepal International Theatre Festival (NITFest) is set to begin on March 19 and will host 17 plays from 12 different countries.

Festival coordinator Kedar Shrestha said 115 plays were submitted for this year’s festival. Twelve plays were chosen from these submissions: 10 from international sources and two from Nepal. Additionally, one play by Mandala Theatre, three regional plays from various cities, and one Chautari play were selected, resulting in 17 plays.

‘Jhoda’ and ‘Sama Chako Sama Chako Ahiwa Hey’ are the two plays selected from Nepal. ‘Kandata and Shakuntala’ from Japan and Nepal, ‘Aboriginal Cry’ and ‘Tamasha’ from India, ‘Mo Chou Mo Chou’ from China, ‘Asch’ from Tunisia, ‘Antigone’ from Iran, ‘Arrived’ from Lithuania and Spain, ‘Charming Jinju Opera Episodes’ from China are some of the plays that are set to be staged.

The slogan for the festival to be held at Mandala Theatre is ‘Theatre for Social Transformation: Light of Indigenous Wisdom’.

This year’s NITFest is set to be held in four cities: Pokhara, Bharatpur, Belbari, and Mandala Theatre in Kathmandu. The festival will host more than a hundred international artists.

The artists from Scotland, China, and Germany will host three workshops during the festival, including music and dance performances. The festival will also host panel discussions and interactive sessions.

The invitation for play submissions was announced in June 2024. Dayahang Rai is the festival director. The NITFest will be held until March 25.