Kathmandu: The poster and play list for the third edition of the Nepal International Theatre Festival (Nitfest) have been made public. The organizers Mandala Theater, have released a press release announcing the posters and play list. According to the announcement, the Nitfest which will begin on Chaitra 6 to Chaitra 12 will feature 17 plays from 12 countries. According to the festival coordinator Kedar Shrestha, a total of 15 plays from all over the world sent to the festival were applied. Out of these, 12 plays, 10 foreign and 2 Nepali, were selected. In addition, Shrestha informed that a total of 17 dramas, including 3 local dramas and 1 Chautari drama, have been selected from the organizing organization Mandala Theatre. ‘Jhoda’ and ‘Sama Chako Sama Chako Ahiwa Hai’ are the plays selected from Nepal. ‘Kandata and Shakuntala’ from Japan and Nepal, ‘Aboriginal Cry’ and ‘Tamasa’ from India, ‘Mochou’ from China, ‘Esech’ from Tunisia, ‘Antigone’ from Iran, ‘Arrived’ from Lithuania and Spain, and ‘Charming Jinju Opera Episodes’ from China will be staged. The slogan of the festival, which will be held at Mandala Theatre, Thapagaun, is ‘Theater for Social Transformation: The Light of Indigenous Knowledge’.

Festival coordinator Shrestha said that the slogan has been incorporated into the posters released on the social media of the Nitfest. The poster reflects the commitment to ensure the preservation and continuity of local skills, art, culture, and identity. Earlier, the second edition of Nitfest was held under the concept of ‘Celebration of Diversity’. This time, the four-city Nitfest will be held at the Mandala Theater in Kathmandu, as well as in Pokhara, Bharatpur, and Belbari. More than 100 foreign artists will participate in the festival.

The Nitfest, which will feature three different workshops organized by artists from Scotland, China, and Germany, includes activities including art exhibitions, music, and dance performances. The festival will feature discussions and interactions on various topics, the organizers are preparing to make the final information public in a few days. Applications for plays and programs for the festival were invited last June. Actor Dayahang Rai, who is active as a film actor and theatre artist, is the director of Nitfest 2025.