Ar. Pramila Shilpakar, a faculty member at Khwopa Engineering College (KhEC), actively participated in the 3rd Symposium of the Asia Heritage Network, which took place from December 1st to December 3rd, 2023. The event brought together 70 participants from diverse Asian countries, including Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Mongolia, Myanmar, Korea, and Nepal.
Hosted at the historic Bahadur Shah Hall in Patan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the symposium was organized by the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) Nepal and the Nara Machizukuri Centre (NMC), Japan. Its primary goals were to identify hidden historic tangible and intangible heritages while fostering stronger social ties among Asian nations.
The diverse program included a heritage walk in the historic town of Patan, a workshop visit focusing on wood crafts and hand tools, and a tour of the Jyapu Ethnic Museum in Chyasal. The immersive experience featured a traditional Newari feast accompanied by traditional music, providing a vivid showcase of the region's rich intangible heritage.
On the second day, representatives from China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Korea, and Japan presented reports at Bahadur Shah Hall. The third day featured a pilot project on Nan-yin music by the Quanzhou group from China and a session from Nepal addressing the challenges and threats faced by living crafts. The symposium served as a valuable platform for experts to exchange insights and experiences in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
Ar. Pramila Shilpakar expressed enthusiasm about sharing the gained knowledge with colleagues and students at the college. She looks forward to applying these learnings in her professional practices, further enriching both her teaching and contribution to heritage preservation initiatives.