Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University

Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University Celebrated Dragon Boat Festival
On June 19, 2026, the conference hall of the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University (CIKU) was filled with laughter and the fragrance of bamboo leaves as more than 60 participants gathered to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. The event brought together Prof. Li Shuangcheng, Chinese Director of CIKU, Chinese and Nepali faculty members, Mr. Xia Zuozhan, Chairman of Fat Cat Crispy Foods Nepal, Mr. Li Jixin, Director of the company, and six company representatives, along with first- and second-year students of the “2+2” Bachelor’s Program in Teaching Chinese Language to the Speakers of Other Languages.
The celebration began with opening remarks by Prof. Li Shuangcheng, who extended his warm Dragon Boat Festival greetings to all participants. He introduced the history and cultural significance of the festival, explaining that the Dragon Boat Festival dates back more than 2,000 years and originated from ancient customs related to health, disease prevention, and prayers for well-being. He also shared the widely known story of Qu Yuan, the great patriotic statesman and romantic poet of the Warring States Period, whose legacy has become an important symbol of the festival. Prof. Li highlighted two of the most representative traditions of the festival: enjoying zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and watching dragon boat races.
He further introduced other traditional customs, including hanging mugwort, wearing fragrant sachets, and drinking realgar wine, all of which symbolize wishes for health, safety, and good fortune. Through his presentation, participants gained a deeper understanding of the cultural values, patriotic spirit, and sense of community embodied in this traditional Chinese festival.
The event continued with a themed sharing session, “My Dragon Boat Festival in China,” presented by Chinese teacher Wang Liyan. Drawing on her personal experience making zongzi with Nepali students at Hebei University of Economics and Business, she invited Nepali teachers who had studied in different regions of China—from Xiamen and Chengdu to Beijing and Changchun—to share their own Dragon Boat Festival memories. Their stories of making zongzi and watching dragon boat races created a warm and engaging atmosphere, vividly demonstrating the festival’s cultural charm across different regions of China.
Next, Nepali teachers Shrijana Maharjan Bajracharya and Biku Laxmi Twayanabasu took the stage to demonstrate the traditional process of making zongzi. From folding bamboo leaves into cone shapes and filling them with glutinous rice, red dates, bean paste, and dried fruits to carefully tying them with string, each step was explained in detail. Inspired by the demonstration, participants eagerly tried their hands at making their own zongzi.
As the prepared ingredients were distributed, Chinese and Nepali teachers and students worked side by side, helping one another and sharing techniques. Beginners quickly gained confidence, and before long, beautifully shaped triangular zongzi began to appear on every table. The sense of accomplishment and joy was evident on everyone’s faces.
While the zongzi were being steamed in one of the classes of CIKU, Qiao Jinnuo laoshi organized a series of interactive activities, including a Dragon Boat Festival quiz and a Chinese idiom guessing game. Questions covered festival customs and traditional Chinese culture. Teams of three competed enthusiastically, with rounds of applause and laughter filling the hall. Winning teams received snack gift packages, making the activities both educational and entertaining.
CIKU also expresses Special thanks go to Fat Cat Crispy Foods Nepal for their generous support of the event. To mark this special occasion, the company provided a variety of Chinese-style snacks free of charge, bringing warmth and festive flavors to all participants and making the Dragon Boat Festival celebration in Nepal even more memorable.
A single bamboo leaf carries the legacy of thousands of years, while the aroma of zongzi connects the friendship between China and Nepal. Through storytelling, cultural sharing, hands-on experiences, and interactive games, this Dragon Boat Festival celebration offered Nepali teachers and students an engaging introduction to Chinese traditions, values, and cultural heritage. More importantly, it strengthened mutual understanding, people-to-people friendship, and cultural exchange between China and Nepal, while contributing to the continued promotion of Chinese language and culture in Nepal.

Literary Appreciation Salon Featuring Dr. Sarbottam Shrestha Successfully Held in Kathmandu

On the afternoon of June 16, 2026, the atmosphere at Fusheng Hotel in Kathmandu was filled with the fragrance of books and lively intellectual exchange as the Salon Featuring Mr. Sarbottam Shrestha was successfully held. A team of Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University also attended the event, joining colleagues from Nepal’s Chinese-language and literary communities in a literary gathering that transcended national boundaries.

The salon was jointly organized by China Cultural Center in Nepal, Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University, Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University, and Arniko Society. The event was moderated by Professor Zhang Xingnian, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at Tribhuvan University. Several mainstream media outlets, including South Asia Network Television (SANTV), were present to cover the event and witness this inspiring occasion of China–Nepal cultural exchange.

Departing from the rigid format of conventional conferences, the salon adopted an interactive model centered on open dialogue and equal participation, creating a valuable platform for in-depth discussion and intellectual exchange among Chinese and Nepali literary professionals.

At the beginning of the event, renowned Nepali Chinese sinologist Dr. Sarbottam Shrestha (hereafter respectfully referred to as “Dr. Shrestha”) shared the story of his more than forty-year journey in literary translation. In his youth, Dr. Shrestha studied medicine at Wuhan University in China. After returning to Nepal, he devoted his life to medical practice and public service, while never abandoning his passion for the Chinese language and Chinese literature.

Encouraged and guided by his mentor, the distinguished writer Cao Jianxun, Dr. Shrestha dedicated his spare time to translation and literary work. Over the years, he has translated six Chinese literary works into Nepali, including Letters Flying from the Bird’s Nest: Selected Poems and Prose of Cao Jianxun, Love Has Never Been Far Away, and The Three-Body Problem. He has also participated in the translation and localization of classic Chinese television dramas and films, including Journey to the West and The Legend of Bruce Lee.

From epic science fiction novels to beloved television classics, from profound literary collections to delicate prose works, Dr. Shrestha has introduced a wealth of Chinese cultural treasures to Nepali readers through the precision of a physician and the sensitivity of a literary translator. His lifelong dedication—combining the compassion of a doctor with the craftsmanship of a translator—earned the admiration and respect of everyone present.

During the two-hour discussion session that followed, participants engaged in lively and candid exchanges. The team from the Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University played an especially active role. Teachers drew upon their own experiences in language teaching and translation to discuss a range of important topics with Dr. Shrestha.

Their conversations covered professional issues such as comparative studies of Chinese and Nepali literature, standards for translating proper nouns, and the practical balance between faithfulness, expressiveness, and elegance in translation. They also explored practical challenges, including how to maintain both accessibility and literary quality in translated works and how translation strategies should be adapted for different audiences.

Other participants actively contributed to the discussion as well, seeking Dr. Shrestha’s insights on topics such as multilingual learning, balancing professional responsibilities with personal passions, and effective time management. Drawing from his own life experiences, Dr. Shrestha responded to each question with patience, wisdom, and sincerity.

The successful organization of this salon provided a valuable model for future cultural exchange activities jointly conducted by Confucius Institutes and partner organizations. By replacing large-scale, formal conferences with focused and interactive salon-style gatherings, organizers demonstrated how meaningful dialogue and effective engagement can be achieved. Furthermore, the collaborative framework involving multiple institutions enabled resource sharing, expanded the event’s influence, and fostered complementary strengths, offering a practical pathway for deeper cooperation and coordinated development among organizations in Nepal.

At the conclusion of the event, all participants gathered for a group photograph, and the salon came to a successful close amid warm applause.

The Salon not only provided Chinese-language learners and literature enthusiasts in Nepal with an opportunity to appreciate Dr. Shrestha’s remarkable achievements and personal charisma at close range, but also created a valuable platform for intellectual exchange and experience sharing among professionals in the fields of translation and education.

Through face-to-face dialogue, the event highlighted the limitless possibilities of literary exchange and inspired cultural practitioners from both countries to further strengthen mutual understanding.

Confucius Institute at Kathmandu University announces admission for: (1) Basic Chinese Level course (HSK 1+HSK 2) and (2) Chinese language + Tour guide has been opened.

Experience shared by one of the students from Khwopa College who went to participate the Summer Camp program to China this year.