The SAARC Festival of Rice Culinary Arts and Spice Exhibition 2025 was held from 14-17 October 2025 at Kaja Throm, Paro, with a concluding cultural visit to Thimphu, Bhutan. This initiative was proposed at the 14th Governing Board Meeting of the SAARC Cultural Centre held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 22–23 October 2024, and was subsequently endorsed by the 60th Session of the Programming Committee held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 28-30 April 2025.
Jointly organized by the Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development (DCDD) under the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the SAARC Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka, the festival served as a vibrant regional platform celebrating South Asia’s shared heritage of rice-based cuisines, culinary traditions, and spice culture. Delegates from across the SAARC Member States participated, advancing cultural ties and professional collaboration through culinary exchange.
The opening ceremony on 14 October at Kaja Throm, Paro, began with an auspicious Marchang Ceremony. His Excellency D. N. Dhungyel, Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Royal Government of Bhutan, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, accompanied by senior officials, representatives of SAARC Member States, and distinguished guests. Among the notable attendees were Md Mizanur Rahman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Mr. Dhruba Regmi, Assistant Director, SAARC Development Fund, Head of the Departments from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dasho Dzongdag and Sector Heads, Dasho Drangpons, Superintend of Police, Local Leaders of Dzongkhag Administration, Paro and Sikder Md Zulkernine, Deputy Director- Programmes, Mr. Sonam Tanzin, Culture Specialist Programme, Mr. Harishnath Nadarajah and Mr. Chandana Hiththetiyaga from SAARC Cultural Centre, were attended the programme.
Ms. Nagtsho Dorji, Director, Department of Culture and Dzongkha Development, in her welcome address, highlighted the significance of the event in promoting and preserving rice-based culinary practices and spice traditions in the region. She emphasized how culinary art acts as a bridge across cultures and generations, strengthening the region’s intangible heritage and nurturing a new generation of practitioners. Her remarks reinforced the sense of shared identity and commitment to safeguarding culinary heritage across South Asia.
Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe, Director of the SAARC Cultural Centre, also addressed the gathering, elaborating on the important role of culinary culture in fostering mutual understanding and cultural diplomacy. He reflected on the deep interconnections within South Asia’s food culture and noted that sharing food remains one of the most meaningful ways to build trust, empathy, and belonging among communities. He further observed that festivals such as this promote dialogue among chefs, scholars, policymakers, and youth while encouraging creativity and sustainability within traditional culinary practices.
Following the inaugural remarks, the Chief Guest formally opened the Rice and Spice Exhibition. Visitors were introduced to more than eighty varieties of rice and spices from across the region, displayed alongside traditional tools and implements. Live cooking demonstrations added colour and aroma to the event, allowing participants and the public to taste and explore an exciting range of dishes. Residents of Paro later joined the festivities, engaging with the exhibitors and learning about regional culinary traditions.
On the second day, the event continued with interactive cooking demonstrations and further exploration of the rice and spice displays. A special highlight was the collaborative effort of the participating chefs who created a fusion dish blending culinary elements from different SAARC countries. This symbolic dish not only showcased regional creativity but also embodied the spirit of cooperation and unity that defines the SAARC vision.
The third day featured a regional workshop moderated by Dr. Kaushalya Kumarasinghe. The workshop provided an engaging forum for participants to discuss the promotion of traditional rice and spice-based cuisines through sustainable tourism and cultural entrepreneurship. Participants shared valuable insights and best practices related to integrating culinary heritage into tourism, empowering communities through food-based livelihoods, and safeguarding traditional culinary knowledge. The session enhanced professional linkages across the region and encouraged policy-level dialogue on protecting intangible culinary heritage.
The festival concluded on 17 October with a cultural and culinary heritage visit to Babisa Village Restaurant in Thimphu. This preserved heritage site provided participants with an immersive introduction to Bhutan’s traditional food culture and sustainable practices. The visit deepened participants’ appreciation of Bhutan’s culinary heritage and broadened their understanding of the interconnected gastronomic traditions of South Asia.
The festival produced meaningful outcomes by reviving traditional rice-based culinary practices and promoting the documentation of recipes, tools, and traditional methods. It also strengthened professional networks among food artisans and cultural experts while encouraging innovation through the fusion of traditional flavours with modern techniques. These outcomes highlight the festival’s role in supporting the preservation of cultural diversity and safeguarding invaluable culinary knowledge for future generations.
The SAARC Festival of Rice Culinary Arts and Spice Exhibition 2025 stands as a landmark event celebrating the intertwined legacies of rice, spices, and culture in South Asia. Through shared experiences, the festival promoted intercultural understanding, collaboration, and innovation, reinforcing the importance of culinary heritage within cultural diplomacy. Bhutan’s gracious hosting demonstrated its commitment to heritage conservation and regional cooperation. The festival’s success affirms the need to continue and institutionalize similar initiatives within SAARC Cultural Centre’s annual cultural calendar, ensuring sustained engagement, collaboration, and enrichment for the region.
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