Teej Dar-Khane: your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about the Dar-Khane programme

Q. The programme says "free entry". Is only the entry free, with charges afterwards for food or other services?

A. There are no charges. The very idea of serving dar is bound up with the duty of the maiti and with Nepali culture. There is therefore no fee of any kind. This programme is organised by NRNA Slovakia — the body standing in for the maiti — for its sisters. On the day, entry, dar, food, soft drinks and the whole programme will be absolutely free. No fee will be charged to anyone taking part.

Q. May only Nepali women citizens living in Slovakia take part in the Teej Dar-Khane programme?

A. No. All Nepali-speaking sisters living in Slovakia may take part, whatever their nationality.

Q. May Nepali men living in Slovakia also take part?

A. Teej is the cultural tradition of the maiti serving dar to their sisters, so the sisters are at the centre of the programme. Even so, Nepali brothers who wish to help their sisters attend may join the NRNA Slovakia Programme Organising Team: by helping at least ten sisters they know to come to the programme, they can take part as members of the management team and represent their sisters.

Q. Is there a dress code?

A. There is no compulsory dress code. But if you can come in traditional dress in the spirit of Teej, it will add to the colour of the day.

Q. We know the Dar-Khane programme is on Sunday 13 September in Bratislava, but when will the exact venue and time be known?

A. We have shortlisted five possible venues. As the number of participants keeps growing, we are waiting for the final attendance figure. Registration stays open until the first week of September, after which new registrations close. On the basis of the final numbers we will choose the most suitable place and send every participant a final confirmation with the venue, the time and the detailed schedule.

Q. What will the arrangements for attendance be?

A. NRNA Slovakia is a legally constituted body, duly registered with the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic, and it conducts all its activities in accordance with Slovak law and its own statute. In the short time since it was founded, NRNA Slovakia has built cordial relations and cooperation with various Slovak government bodies, NGOs and international organisations. Because Teej is above all a festival of women, the women taking part are the heart of this programme, so that they can enjoy the festival freely, easily and happily. Only the designated officers and members of the management team of NRNA Slovakia will be present, and only for management, safety, coordination and the successful running of the programme. The focus of the day will always be the sisters.

Those were the questions everyone has in mind and does ask. Here is a simple answer to the odd question everyone has in mind but nobody asks.

Q. If NRNA Slovakia gives free entry, dar and food and charges nothing at all — then why? For whom? What is all this for?

A. It is purely to preserve Nepali culture, art and festivals and to build a model for handing them on to the next Nepali generation. Above all it is a small attempt to bring sisters who are far from home under one roof, to build a strong circle of acquaintance, warmth and support, and to give them the confidence of knowing: "I am not alone in a foreign land; I too have my own Nepali family."

Our hope is only this: that this year we are the ones saying "please come", but from next year the sisters themselves will be the ones nudging us and asking, "well, when are we celebrating Teej?" If that day comes, that will be our greatest success and our return gift.