KATHMANDU: French Ambassador to Nepal Gilles Bourbao launched a photobook “PANAUTI: PAST-PRESENT [1976-2020]” on Tuesday.

The launch ceremony was organized by the Alliance Française Katmandou and it was attended by the Mayors of Lalitpur Metropolitan City and of Panauti Municipality, Chiribabu Maharjan and Bhim Neupane respectively, researchers, students and journalists.

This photobook, which is published in both French and English languages, illustrates the changes the town of Panauti has gone through from 1976 until 2020 and shows the ambitious renovation project carried out by the French researchers, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French development agencies aimed at preserving Panauti’s architectural heritage.

It also highlights the local cultural heritage and how the current uncontrolled urbanization threatens it.

The photobook is the work of Gérard Toffin, the French social anthropologist, and Prasant Shrestha, the photographer from Panauti.

Toffin has been carrying our researches in the Banepa Valley since the 1970s. The publication of this photobook was funded by the Alliance Française Katmandou and will be available for purchase at Vajra Books, Mandala Book Point, and Panauti Study Center.

The sale proceedings will go towards the social fund of P3RAM GROUP from Panauti.