On Feb. 2, the Nepali Students’ Association hosted their annual Taste of Nepal event on the University of Idaho campus. It was the event’s 20th anniversary, and the milestone celebration successfully delivered a night of flavors, feelings and festivals.
For two decades, Taste of Nepal has highlighted the beauty of Nepalese spirit, history and culture right here in Moscow. The sold-out event attracted over 400 audience members from the local Moscow community and across the region.
As Taste of Nepal began and attendees found their seats, they were greeted by an array of Nepalese smells, sights and sounds.
Throughout the immersive event, participants learned about rituals, traditions and celebrations native to the region. This included live musical and dance performances, as well as a video that walks through the diverse landscapes and culture of Nepal.
The night concluded with its much-anticipated feast, allowing the attendees to enjoy authentic Nepalese cuisine.
UI student Aneesha Shrestha had a unique connection with this event. When Shrestha’s parents moved to Idaho 20 years ago, Taste of Nepal was a small gathering adorned with Nepalese props. As the event advisor, her father saw the program grow into the community tradition that it is today.
Shrestha said, “I think it’s all about visibility. A lot of people here are from Idaho and might stay in Idaho, so having an event that broadens horizons and shares different cultures is really important.”
She emphasized how important and impactful it can be for students to attend these cultural events. Her advice for first-time attendees is to absorb the new experiences. She said, “I would say just go in it with an open mind about what you’re going to experience and try to learn. That’s really what the event is about.”
ASUI President Martha Smith further explained how events like Taste of Nepal improve UI’s campus. Smith said, “In Idaho you don’t see this sort of culture very often…[Taste of Nepal] provides a lot of benefit to building a well-rounded community.”
Members of NSA lead the crowd through an interactive and educational night. In between dance performances and speeches, audience members were called on to share what they learned through trivia questions.
Jaclyn Belliveau has been a regular attendee of this event throughout her four years living in Moscow. She explained what made this year’s event especially memorable.
Belliveau said, “I loved exploring the different food options, especially the dumplings. But the highlight of the night was the acoustic guitar performance—hearing the crowd chant along with the musicians made it truly moving. The connection to the song felt meaningful, especially as the lead guitarist shared how it had been a part of his life since childhood.”
Every year, this cornerstone event provides students with the opportunity to not only celebrate Nepalese culture but to learn about it as well. As the 20th anniversary came and went, hundreds of attendees were able to experience the beauty of Nepalese culture through the Taste of Nepal.
Sophia Robertson can be reached at arg-life@uidaho.edu.