Kathmandu, June 2: In the EXPO 2000 World Exposition at Hannover, Germany, that was officially inaugurated by German President Jonnes Rau on Thursday, the Nepal Pavilion was one of the main attractions for the 200,000 visitors.
The EXPO 2000 is touted to be the biggest event ever of its kind and the very first World Exposition to be held in Germany. 192 countries and international organisations are participating in the mega-event which will run for five months until 31st of October, 2000.
The EXPO expects between 40-50 million visitors during its 153 duration. The Nepal Pavilion, already extensively publicised by the German media, is expected to draw at least 25 per cent of the total visitors.
The Nepal Pavilion comprises of a 23-meter high stupa together with a 11-meter high temple in the centre of 2,500 sq.m. Mandala shaped garden. The main pavilion is encircled by 62-meter walkway and a 150 sq.m. pond.
At the opening ceremony, the Guest of Honour was the German Minister for Economic Cooperation, Mrs. Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, who visited the Nepal Pavilion with high-ranking delegation of BMZ and GTZ officials. Also present on the occasion were the Nepalese Ambassador to Germany Mr. B.S. Malla and Mrs. Bauknecht, Nepalese Honorary Consul in Stuttgart, Germany and FNCCI president Pradeep Kumar Shrestha.
Minister Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, upon arrival at the Nepal Pavilion, was accorded a traditional welcome by a group of Nepalese musicians and dancers. Describing the Nepal Pavilion as the “bridge of friendship between Nepal and Germany”, she also congratulated all the members of the Nepalese construction team for building one of the most beautiful pavilions for Germany’s first World Exposition. A reception was hosted in her honour by the Nepal Pavilion where typical Nepalese delicacies and Nepalese tea were served to the guests.
Nepal’s own artistic pavilion is a blend of a Buddhist stupa and a Hindu pagoda. This symbolises the peaceful co-existence of different religions and ethnic groups in Nepal.
It may be recalled that the Nepal Pavilion was built and designed by the private Implementing Experts Group, a private agency entrusted by the Nepalese government to erect and operate the Nepal Pavilion. Similarly, the German Ministry of Cooperation and Development (BMZ) had financially supported this outstanding piece of traditional Nepali architecture and handicraft through the GTZ with an amount of about Rs. 53 million and through technical aid.
The Implementing Experts Group that built the Nepal Pavilion and will also be operating it, expects significant benefit to Nepal, mainly in terms of increase in the international prestige and goodwill as well as in the promotion of Nepal-Germany relations in the trade, tourism and investment sectors.