The Association for the Study of Culture and Religion, Nepal (ASCR Nepal), in collaboration with National College, is set to host its inaugural National Conference on Nepal’s cultural and religious heritage. Themed “Bridging Past and Present: Celebrating Culture, Understanding Religion,” the two-day academic event will take place on 11–12 Baisakh 2082 (April 24–25, 2025) at National College, Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu.
According to the organizers, the conference aims to delve into how culture and religion shape individual identity, foster social cohesion, and promote national pride. It will bring together a diverse group of participants—scholars, researchers, educators, students, and cultural practitioners—from across Nepal to engage in meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange.
The conference will open on 11th Baisakh (April 24) with an Academic Writing Seminar designed for young researchers. This session will equip aspiring academics with the tools and techniques needed to contribute effectively to the field of cultural and religious studies.
On 12th Baisakh (April 25), the conference will feature the presentation of 32 research papers covering a broad range of interdisciplinary topics. Contributors include university professors, educators, and students from various institutions dedicated to preserving and promoting Nepal’s intangible heritage.
The conference themes reflect the depth and diversity of Nepal’s cultural landscape and include:
- Pilgrims and Pilgrimage
- Beliefs and Symbolism
- Cultural Heritage in Nepal
- Philosophical Ideas and Thoughts
- Ethnicity and Indigenous Peoples of Nepal
- Gender, Religion, and Culture
- Monuments of Nepal
- Language and Literature: Depicting Regional Beliefs and Sacredness
- Culture and Religion of the Diaspora
- Cultural Tourism and Nepali Hospitality
- Archaeology and Heritage Preservation
- Museology and Museography
- Folk Traditions and Oral Heritage
The event is expected to highlight the vital role of academic research in safeguarding Nepal’s cultural identity, while also encouraging future scholarship, policy engagement, and intercultural understanding.
ASCR Nepal expressed its vision for the conference as a foundational step in nurturing the next generation of researchers and emphasizing the essential role of culture and religion in fostering a more inclusive, tolerant, and historically rooted society.
ASCR Nepal is a non-governmental academic body committed to the study, promotion, and preservation of Nepal’s tangible and intangible cultural and religious legacy. It is affiliated with the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR) and the South and Southeast Asian Association for the Study of Culture and Religion (SSEASR), actively contributing to global academic discourse in these fields.
