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The Himalayan Vegan Festival 2022 has been rescheduled for coming September in view of adversities caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It was previously scheduled for April 15-17 in Kathmandu followed by April 18-20 in Thimpu. Now, it has been announced that Kathmandu will host the festival from September 15 through 17, and Thimpu will host it from September 18 through 20.
Billed as the first and historic of its kind in the region, the festival is to be organised by the World Vegan Organisation and supported by many other organisations including the Nepal Vegetarian Association which aims to promote 'ethical living' with a vegan lifestyle and create public awareness about it, said World Vegan Organisation Nepal Chair Suresh Prasad Sharma. According to organisers, the festival is dedicated solely to introducing, educating, and promoting a plant-based lifestyle and its benefits to the general public. As Sharma shared, it is not mandatory to be a vegan who just eats plant-based diets and abstains from animal and dairy products or a vegetarian to be eligible for joining the festival. Anyone else wishing to be part of the festival is heartily welcomed to the event, he said. The event is non-profit and entry is free.
It is said vegan lifestyle is close to nature and the objective of choosing Kathmandu and Thimpu, both in the Himalayas, is to spread the message that they could offer proper vegan diets. The festival will feature vegan food stalls and consumer products. Likewise, live band music and dance, demonstrations by international and local vegan chefs, film exhibition, free cookery training, fitness and fashion workshop, training in the preparation of plant-based milk and mock meat are among the highlights of the festival.
Over 100 international vegan speakers, distinguished guests, and personalities are expected to join the festival and vegan Everest climber Kuntal Joisher from India who is taking charge of one of the key speakers at the festival is currently in Nepal to promote the event. The 42-year-old athlete, photographer, and fitness trainer has been part of the vegan society for the past 19 years. Kuntal who describes himself as an ‘ethical vegan’ highlights the need of practicing a vegan life due to its health benefits as well. Highlighting the significance of the festival, rights activists, journalists, and vegan Prakash Ajaat said the practice and promotion of a vegan lifestyle were necessary for the ethical treatment of all living beings on the planet. Defining the vegan movement from the rights-based approach, he argued, "The planet is for all, not just for humans. Animals too deserve to be loved and cared for. They need good treatment.”
