Nepalese Students’ Association at Iowa State will hold its second Nepali Night, ‘Nepali Night 2081,’ from 3:15 to 8:45 p.m. Sunday. The event is split into three parts: an artifacts exhibition and music and dance performances, both in the Memorial Union Great Hall, and a traditional Nepali dinner at 7:30 p.m. in the Howe Hall atrium.

The event is in celebration of Nepali New Year 2081, and Pradeep Bk, a graduate student in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology and president of Nepalese Students’ Association, said last year’s celebration was attended by over 350 people from various nationalities.

While the event is free, Bk said the Nepali dinner will be first come, first serve for the first 350 patrons.

“There will definitely be a Nepali night next year, and we are very excited that we have people from over 20 countries who have registered for our event,” Bk said.

Bk said the purpose of the Nepali Night is to showcase Nepalese culture and traditional heritages and provide a platform for the Nepalese community and students to come together to share in conversation, song and dance.

“Nepal, even though it’s a very tiny country, there is a lot of diversity in more than 90 ethnic groups and 124 languages spoken in Nepal,” Bk said. “Despite its small size, [it is] very rich in diversity. But also, despite its diversity, we are happy with the unity and solidarity among the community and ethnic groups. We have a very peace-loving country, and that’s what we want to promote with [this] event.”

Bk also said the event also gives an opportunity for international students and attendees to know more about how Nepali socio-cultural heritages, the food and the Nepali way of life.

“Back home during the new year, all the community, they come together [to dance] and enjoy Nepali-style cuisine,” Bk said. “And we’re following the tradition here. In Nepali night, we are trying to bring a piece of Nepal and Nepali heritage into the community.”

Nepali Night 2081 is sponsored by Multicultural Student Affairs, Iowa Nepalese Association and the International Students and Scholars Office.

Registration for the event can be completed through this link.