KATHMANDU: A photography exhibition titled "Nepal: The Seen and The Unseen" was inaugurated at the prestigious Cairo Opera House in Egypt on Saturday, offering Egyptian audiences an intimate visual journey through the daily life and cultural traditions of the Kathmandu valley.

The exhibition was organised by the Embassy of Nepal in Cairo in collaboration with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture and the Cairo Opera House. It was formally opened by Nepal's Ambassador to Egypt, Sushil K. Lamsal, alongside featured photographer and photojournalist Ashraf Talaat and Cairo Opera House Chairman Prof. Dr. Alaa Abdel Salam, in the presence of more than a hundred guests including ambassadors, diplomats, photographers, artists, media representatives and members of the Nepali community in Egypt.

The exhibition showcases 42 photographs by eminent Egyptian photojournalist Ashraf Talaat, captured during his visit to Nepal in January and February 2026. His work seeks to reveal both the visible beauty and the subtle narratives that shape Nepal's identity — from the rhythms of everyday life to the rich cultural traditions woven through the Kathmandu valley.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Lamsal underlined the vital role of art and culture in strengthening bilateral relations between Nepal and Egypt, and expressed appreciation to the Egyptian government for its continued support in facilitating cultural exchanges. He recalled the earlier hosting of the photo exhibition "Faces of Nepal" at the Salah Taher Gallery in July last year, expressing hope that such initiatives would offer Egyptian audiences a deeper and more nuanced understanding of Nepal's natural beauty, cultural richness and social fabric.

Talaat, reflecting on his experience, said his work over the years has sought to capture the many facets of Nepal's rich culture through his lens. He expressed his delight at being part of an artistic collaboration between the two countries and thanked the Embassy for facilitating his recent trip to Nepal, during which the photographs now on display were taken.

The exhibition is open to the public at the Salah Taher Gallery of the Cairo Opera House until February 26, 2026.