BY A STAFF REPORTER
Kathmandu, Dec. 16:The Himalayan Pavilion – consisting of parts of a pagoda temple and a stupa locked in a sculptural embrace – is to represent Nepal in the World Expo-2000 to be organised in Germany’s Hannover from June 1 to October 31.
“We are erecting life size pagoda style temple combined with stupa as Nepal’s national pavilion for the five month long Expo,” pavilion promoter Amrit Shakya told the reporters here this afternoon. “Preparations are underway at full scale to make the project a success.”
About eight hundred craftsmen and their families have been working with the project that began two and a half years ago. To be spread in 2,500 square metres, the construction will take 12,000 cubic feet of wood. The total cost of the project is estimated to be 220 million rupees.
The project aims at promoting Nepal’s rich cultural heritage abroad and give the foreigners an impression that Nepal is endowed with wonderful natural and cultural gifts, Shakya said.
Shakya heads the Implementing Experts Group, the private body to represent Nepal in the Expo to be participated in by 172 nations and 27 international organisations with 400 thousand visitors everyday.
The Himalayan Pavilion will serve as a platform to acquaint Nepalese art and culture to the world, Commerce Minister Ram Krishna Tamrakar said.
Tamrakar said that the government believed in private sector’s initiatives and lauded the Group’s performance.
Commerce Secretary Mohan Dev Pant hoped that the Pavilion would be instrumental in bringing more tourists and attracting foreign investment.
The Pavilion will present live demonstrations by artisans of national repute in the trades such as carving in wood and stone, metal sculpture casting. It will also feature thanka painting, carpet and traditional textile weaving, pottery making and musical performances.
First of its kind to be erected outside Nepal, the promoters want the unique Nepalese architectural masterpiece to remain permanently in Germany in the form of Nepal Promotion Centre. “We intend to retain the Pavilion in Germany as a symbol of Nepalese contribution to the Expo 2000,’’ Shakya said.