Himalayan Blues Festival 2009: “Blues Garden – In Memory of Daniel Pearl”

October 9, 2009

Cultural Affairs Officer remembering Daniel Pearl’s life (State Dept.)

The Night Band performing at the Garden of Dreams (State Dept)

As part of a worldwide effort to promote peace through music, the Himalayan Blues festival and the U.S. Embassy dedicated the event, "Blues Garden" in Memory of Daniel Pearl, as a musical tribute to the journalist. The Himalayan Blues festival is a Nepali artistic and cultural event with the objective of promoting blues music developed in the United States and integrating it with the roots and folklore of Nepal.

The Night Band (Nepali Ethnic Fusion) jumpstarted the event, followed by a reading of a letter sent by Daniel Pearl’s parents. Cultural Affairs Officer Amanda Jacobsen spoke about Daniel Pearl's life and his commitment to music and peace. Artists participating in this year's Blues Festival came from the U.S., Australia, U.K., Norway, New Zealand, and India, in addition to home-grown talent from Nepal.

Our deepest appreciation goes to the organizers and the musicians who helped put this evening together and, in particular to Himalayan Blues Festival for enlisting musicians to this majestic event, and to the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for supporting the Daniel Pearl's World Music Days.