Kathmandu Marks World Vegan Day Amid Autumn Showers

KATHMANDU — A vibrant blend of art exhibition and musical performances marked the celebration of World Vegan Day on Saturday at Boudha, Kathmandu. The event, organized by Nepal Animal Save, aimed to promote compassion toward all living beings and raise awareness about veganism.

Held in the courtyard of Utpla Café, the event drew dozens of animal lovers, nonviolence advocates, and artists, with several foreign participants also in attendance.

Vegans are those who abstain not only from meat and dairy but also from all animal-derived products such as leather, fur, bones, and feathers. Speaking to the press, organizer Shobha Bhujel said the event was inspired by growing global concern over climate change caused by industrial animal agriculture, alongside efforts to reduce animal cruelty. “In the West, the movement has gone beyond vegetarianism—many now reject all animal-based products,” she noted.

Over 40 artworks were exhibited, exploring themes such as animal suffering, human behavior, and climate change. Each piece called for empathy, reflection, and dialogue on humanity’s relationship with other species and the planet. The artworks were also available for sale during the event, with proceeds pledged to animal welfare causes.

The celebration featured music, dance, performances, and vegan food stalls, creating a lively, creative atmosphere. Local vegan restaurants like Loving Heart Vegan Restaurant, The White Lotus Vegan Café, and Vegan Food & Beverage House offered participants a taste of delicious plant-based cuisine.

A panel discussion titled “Art and Activism” became a highlight of the event, exploring how various art forms can advance compassion and animal rights advocacy. Among the key speakers was Krishna Gurung, one of Nepal’s few dedicated animal rights activists and a graphic designer known for his songs on nonviolence. He shared insights from his nearly three-decade-long vegan journey and spoke about his ongoing short documentary portraying the stories of animals.

Ravi Thapa, founder of the Nepal Vegan Gallery and a traditional thangka artist, remarked during the discussion, “Compassion is the earth’s most precious treasure. If we can awaken it, the world will become more beautiful.” Similarly, multidisciplinary artist Abishman Shakya urged everyone to contribute actively to nonviolence and veganism. Actress Sarita Rajopadhyay shared her personal experience, saying, “I learned to make plant-based yogurt and milk from cashew, almond, and soy. The more I practiced, the tastier they became.”

Author Raghu Aditya, who wrote the groundbreaking book “Shakahar Tarkadhar” (The Logic of Vegetarianism), gave a special presentation on the philosophy of veganism and ethical living. “In society, it’s easy to sell anything if spoken with confidence—but hard to spread the truth. Yet we must keep speaking for truth, nonviolence, and righteousness,” he said.

Organizer Dipesh Shrestha summarized the event’s purpose: “Our goal is to give voice to the pain of nonhuman beings and inspire people toward a compassionate lifestyle.”

Over the past three years, the Nepal Vegan Gallery has grown as a creative platform linking art with empathy and compassion, envisioning a world free from exploitation of all species. The event was supported by Utpla Café and Thrive Philanthropy.