Kathmandu, March 16: A unique Nepalese building in the form of a 23-metre high Stupa together with 11-metre high temple is being constructed in Germany by a team of 29 specialised Nepalese craftsmen and engineers. Referred by German press as the masterpiece of Nepalese traditional architectural grandeur, the Nepalese building is being erected for the EXPO 2000 Hannover as Nepal’s national Pavilion. The Nepalese technical team has been erecting the Nepal’s Himalayan Pavilion for the last one month and the construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of April. The stupa-temple building will be the only Nepalese architecture of this kind in the world, according to the Implementing Experts Group’s press release.
Traditional Nepali style Stupa – Temple building is being built in the German city of Hannover for EXPO 2000 by Nepalese technical team of artisans and engineers with all the construction materials from Nepal including intricately hand carved wood, stone an metal.
Appointed by His Majesty’s Government to plan, erected, operate and manage the country’s participation at the EXPO 2000 Hannover, the Implementing Experts Group (comprised of professionals having experience and expertise of previous World Expositions) is undertaking entire erection with its own finances and with materials carved in Nepal. Earlier about 450 MT of construction materials including exquisitely carved wood, stone and metal were brought to Hanover by sea containers.
Nepal’s Himalaya Pavilion in the form of Stupa and Temple will sit in the centre of 2500 sq. metres mandala shaped garden with 150 sq. m. L-shaped pond in front. 62 – metre long and 4 metre width traditional Sattal walkway will surround the pond. There will be a traditional platform in the east for presenting traditional Nepalese dance performances whereas platform in the north will serve as place for presenting live demonstration of pottery making, wood carving, metal casting, thanka painting and carpet weaving. Thached roof farmhouse of Kathmandu valley and Tharu mud house with colourful wall paintings will be erected in the west and south side of garden.
Nepal is presenting its rich skill in wood and stone carvings and metal engraving in the Pavilion. The Pavilion will also have regular live performances from Nepalese dancers and musicians and live demonstration by artisans who will show art of pottery making, wood and stone carving, metal casting, thanka painting and carpet weaving.
“Mankind Nature Technology” is the main theme and several sub-themes specified by Expo 2000 for each participating country to make their national presentation. Nepal is concentrating its presentation in the main theme and sub themes such as “Education & Culture”, “Leisure & Mobility”, “Environment & Development”. 173 countries and 20 international organisations will have their pavilions at EXPO 2000 Hannover, which is expected to be attended by 40 to 50 million visitors from Germany and rest the world. Nepalese participation at the said Expo is expected to help promote besides national image and prestige, country’s foreign trade, investment tourism and commercial utilisaiton of human and natural resources. Promotion of art and architecture, cultural will also get substantial boost at the EXPO 2000.