KATHMANDU: The 2nd edition of International Watercolor Festival kicked off in Kathmandu today.

The event, organised by the International Watercolor Society-Nepal commenced at the Babarmahal-based Nepal Art Council to exhibit 270 watercolour works executed on paper by artists from 38 countries.

Thirteen artists from home and abroad executed their works on the spot in the opening day.

The festival has participation of artists from Nepal, America, India, Bangladesh, Albania, Australia, Mongolia, the UK, China and Germany. It will run until November 9.

Special programmes are also taking place in Lumbini on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the festival. Artists will present their works on canvas in Lumbini and an art workshop will be held there, society chair NB Gurung said.

Inaugurating the festival, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Ishwar Pokhrel expressed his hope that this type of event would be helpful in promoting tourism in Nepal. "Nepal is naturally a picturesque country," he said, adding that this could be an important event for Nepalis to promote the country and its natural beauty through the means of art.

As said by society's General Secretary Deependra Man Banepali, to make foreign tourists understand Nepal's natural beauty and tourism is one of the objectives of the festival.