The fourth edition of the “Grand International Creative Ceremony” was concluded in Palmerston North, New Zealand, on Monday, 23rd December. Hundreds of delegates from across New Zealand and from many other countries like the USA, Australia, India, and Nepal joined the three-day ceremony.
Programs were held in two different locations with many different sessions. Cultural show, literary discourse, book release, book exhibition, and vision sharing from the distinguished research scholars were some of the highlights of this fourth edition of the Grand International Creative Ceremony.
Palmerston North, City Council, New Zealand Mayor Grant Smith, and Manawatu District Council Mayor Helen Worboys and Nepal Academy Chancellor Ganga Prasad Uprety were the keynote speaker in the inaugural session of the first day of the program.
First day sessions were more of an idea, debate, and discourse. In the first session, after the official release of the Book by Gopal Poudyel, the collection of memoirs – “Katha Bhitrako Katha”, a discourse on “Nepali Literary Writing, Arts and Culture in Globalization” was accompanied. Prof. Prabhat Dixit from the USA and Senior writer Gyan Bahadur Kshetri from Assam, India, were the main speakers on the topic. First day, second session’s attraction was the discussion and view presentation on “Resettled Bhutanese Diaspora and search for identity.” Dr. Ragu Nath Nepal, C.P. Dahal, and Prakash Dhamala took the dais for the topic.
Continuing with the Creative Ceremony tradition, this edition was more unique, featuring a rich mix of sessions with writers from different languages and diverse cultural presentations. The third session of the first day focused on the cultural show. Samrit Rai and Arpan Rai were the initiators who ran and managed the third session event.
One of the most remarkable session of the second day was sharing views and experience by Nepal Academy Chancellor Ganga Prasad Uprety and President of Upanyas Samaj Nepal Shankar prasad Bharati (Novelist) about “Art of Writing.”
Besides this, an exhibition of short movies, books, photography, paintings, and felicitation was yet another beauty of the program. Distinguished research scholars, volunteers/social workers, organizations, and Nepali art and literature contributors from the young generation were felicitated. From the young generation, Durga Rimal, Prakash Dhamala, R B Khadka, Saurav Timsina, Susan Majhi, and Maya Bhattarai were awarded the trophy and appreciation certificate for their contribution to promoting and preserving the Nepali language, literature, arts, and culture. Similarly, the legendary singer, musician, and social worker Pratab Subba was honored for his dedication, contribution towards art and music, and for his social service. Sarina Manandhar was honored for teaching Nepali Language voluntarily to the kids in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Prabhat Dixit, Ganga Prasad Uprety, and Gyan Badahur Kshetri were honored as distinguished guests and research scholars.
- The School of Bhutanese Nepali Language and Culture, Australia,
- Literature Council of Bhutan and
- Matribhasa Samrakshan Samuha, United States of America, has also been honored for their continuous effort in promoting and preserving the Nepali language and literature.
On top of this, the organization felicitated the supporting and host organizers, the Bhutanese Society of Palmerston North, NZ, the Palmerston North City Council, and the Manawatu District Council for helping to make the event a grand success.
Apart from these felicitations, Ramesh Gautam from Norway was awarded with “Dinesh Chamling Smriti International Yuwa Pratibha Puraskar.” Ramesh Gautam is known for his work in promoting Nepali literature. This award is named after the late Bhutanese American writer, Dinesh Chamling. He was the founding and central member of GBLO.
To name some, the President of the Bhutanese Society of Palmerston, N., NZ – Bal Ghimire, the President of the Bhutanese Community in Nebraska – Bhim Gurung, Indira Bhandari, Bidur Poudel, Chitra Sapkota, Chhatra Dangal, Prakash Dhamala, Gopal Poudyel, and others were actively involved to make this event a success. The program was organized by the Global Bhutanese Literary Organization in association with the Bhutanese Society of New Zealand, the GBLO New Zealand Chapter, and in support of the Palmerston North City Council, New Zealand, the Manawatu District Council, New Zealand, and the Global Federation for Nepali Literature.
“Along with global Nepali, this ceremony has provided an opportunity to all art, culture, and literature lovers to share their vision by addressing the needs of language, and building international relations in terms of art, culture, and literature,” said Gyan Bahadur Kshetri, award-winning senior writer for Assam India.
Gracing the event as chief guest, Nepal Academy Chancellor Mr. Ganga Prasad Uprety, said that the program was a huge success and indeed this program has played a vital role in globalizing the Nepali Art, culture, and literature.
The Ceremony participants identified the critical importance of such programs, and this kind of program could be a good benchmark to come together and work collaboratively on areas of shared concern.
Thanksgiving video from the organizer:
