Russian House in Kathmandu

26/02/2026

CREATIVE CONTEST "ABOVE THE SUMMITS OF TIME"
SPbU and Honorary Consul of Nepal in St. Petersburg Yuri Gusev announce an open contest for translations of Russian poets' poems into Nepali!

What is the contest
An open creative contest for literary translation of Russian classics' poems on the theme of mountain landscapes into Nepali. Participants translate one poem up to 20 lines about the grandeur of mountains, Himalayas, Caucasus — preserving imagery, rhythm, and emotions of the original.

Who can participate: Everyone — no age, citizenship, or profession restrictions! Only original authorial translation (1 entry per participant).

Timeline:
December 30, 2025 — March 13, 2026: entry submission
April 14, 2026: winners announcement

Goals and objectives
Goals: Intercultural dialogue through poetry, popularization of Russian literature and mountain themes in Nepal for the diplomatic relations anniversary.
Objectives: Creating translations of Russian classics into Nepali, developing translation skills, expanding philological knowledge.

Detailed participation procedure
1. Poem selection
Russian classic poet
Central theme: mountain landscapes, mountain grandeur
Length: up to 20 lines

2. Materials preparation
Application (Appendix №2):
Full name, country/city of residence
Brief info about yourself (education, translation experience)
Phone, email
Poem title + author + year

Translation file:
Russian original (with author)
Nepali translation
Format: Times New Roman, 12 pt, 1.5 line spacing
Margins: right 1 cm, left/top/bottom 2 cm

3. Submission
Email: rusnepalikavita@gmail.com
Subject: "Contest 'Above the Summits of Time'"
Deadline: Dec 30, 2025–Mar 13, 2026
Entries are not reviewed individually and not returned

Evaluation criteria (max 30 points)
Jury awards 5 points per criterion:
Compliance with contest theme
Accuracy of content transmission
Emotional-expressive match to original
Stylistic correspondence to original
Nepali language norms (grammar, vocabulary, spelling)
Poetic genre compliance

Distinguished jury
Janga Bahadur Chauhan — former Nepal Ambassador to Russia, PhD in Philology, professor, poet, translator of Russian literature into Nepali
Dipesh Dahal Gagan — Secretary of Literary Commission of Nepal-Russia Friendship Society, General Secretary of Russian branch of Global Nepali Literature Federation
Milan Raj Tuladhar — former Nepal Ambassador to Russia
Anna Chelnokova — Associate Professor, Department of Indian Philology, SPbU
Lilia Streltsova — Assistant, Department of Theory and Methods of Teaching Asian and African Languages and Cultures, SPbU

Prizes and awards
1 winner + 2 runners-up (simple majority vote)
Diplomas + valuable gifts
Additional prizes at jury's discretion

3 reasons to participate
Cultural diplomacy — translations included in Russian-Nepali poetry anthology for diplomatic anniversary
Expert evaluation — judged by ambassadors, SPbU professors, Nepali literati
Professional growth — translation skill development + diploma for portfolio

Don't miss until March 13, 2026!

25/02/2026

Today, we have screened the documentary «Callsign Bukhanka» at Russian House in honor of Defender of the Fatherland Day, celebrated on 23 February.

The event was attended by 25 participants, including Russian language students and library users. In 2026, this important day is celebrated under the theme «Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia».

The film immerses viewers in frontline realities, showing how the «Bukhanka» serves as a vital lifeline – transporting wounded soldiers, delivering humanitarian aid, and carrying troops through dangerous terrain. Through personal stories of military personnel and volunteers, the vehicle emerges as more than transport; it becomes a symbol of resilience, solidarity, and courage in wartime.

Even the simplest things can become powerful symbols of unity, resilience, and courage when people stand together in times of hardship.

25/02/2026

23/02/2026

February 23, 2026

On the occasion of Defender of the Fatherland Day, we visited New Sumnima Academy named after Alexander Nevsky and held an interactive program with 7th and 8th grade students (30 in total). We shared the history of this important day, its origins, celebrations in Russia, and values of courage, dedication, and service. Students showed great interest and actively participated.

We also met with school management to discuss promoting Russian language teaching and future cultural exchanges.

As part of the program, we screened the RT documentary Callsign “Bukhanka” to deepen understanding of the day’s significance.

#ДеньЗащитникаОтечества

23/02/2026

February 23 is Defender of the Fatherland Day in our country!

Congratulations to all defenders of the Fatherland on the holiday!

21/02/2026

Maslenitsa in Kathmandu!

Maslenitsa (Cheese Week) is a Slavic holiday before Great Lent (starting February 23). It’s a time for forgiveness, commemorating the departed, and bidding winter farewell to welcome spring. Blini symbolize the sun: golden, round, topped with butter, sour cream, or caviar — calling for warmth and renewal.

Happy Maslenitsa! ☀️

21/02/2026

February 21 — World Tourist Guide Day!

Every year on February 21, cities around the world celebrate World Tourist Guide Day (International Tourist Guide Day), established by the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations (WFTGA). Founded in 1985 at the first convention, the holiday has been observed since 1990 to highlight the profession’s importance, uniting over 200,000 specialists from 87 countries.

In Nepal, guides introduce the treasures of the Kathmandu Valley: the stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, rituals at Pashupatinath, and ancient Kirtiipur and Lalitpur. The Russian House in Kathmandu helps Nepalis master the Russian language to lead tours for Russian-speaking tourists — sharing authentic stories and traditions in their native tongue.

Thank you, guides, for vibrant Himalayan experiences!

21/02/2026

February 21 — International Mother Language Day!

This holiday reminds us of the value of preserving multilingualism in our global world. It was established on November 17, 1999, at the UNESCO General Conference and has been celebrated since 2000 to support linguistic and cultural diversity. The date commemorates the tragedy of February 21, 1952, in Dhaka (Bangladesh): students protested for recognition of Bengali as an official language and were killed by police.

The mother tongue is the key to a people’s history, a link between generations, and a repository of knowledge. There are over 7,000 languages in the world, with more than 40% of them on the brink of extinction due to globalization.

Russian House in Kathmandu congratulates everyone! In Nepal, where hundreds of dialects resonate, Russian unites friends and culture enthusiasts. Speak, read, share!

19/02/2026

Today in Nepal, Democracy Day (Prajatantra Diwas) is being celebrated—a national holiday dedicated to the overthrow of the Rana dynasty in 1951 and the return to the throne of King Tribhuvan, which marked the beginning of democracy in the country.

We congratulate the people of Nepal on this momentous day! May the principles of freedom, equality, and justice continue to strengthen, and may democratic values serve as the foundation for the country’s prosperity and peaceful development. We wish you tireless energy in building an open, fair, and harmonious society!

Happy Democracy Day, Nepal! 🇳🇵✊🕊️

18/02/2026

Ghyalpo Losar — Tibetan New Year in Kathmandu

February 18 marks Ghyalpo Losar — the Tibetan New Year, ushering in the new lunar year according to the Tibetan calendar. The holiday blends Buddhist practices with ancient Tibetan cultural traditions: space and mind purification, offerings to the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha), prayers for peace and well-being, and joy from family gatherings.

How it’s celebrated
- Morning prayers and burning incense; flying lungta — prayer flags with auspicious wishes.
- Visits to monasteries, offerings to lamas and monks, reciting auspicious texts.
- Traditional treats (including gutuk on the eve), exchanging good wishes and gifts.
- Cham dances and cultural performances in monastery courtyards and urban communities.

Greetings from the Russian House in Kathmandu

We wish you a bright Losar, strong health, clear mind, and virtuous deeds. May the new year bring peace to hearts, harmony to families, and prosperity to Nepal and Himalayan communities.

Tashi Delek!

17/02/2026

Today, February 17, Russian House in Kathmandu is conducting competitive interviews for Nepali students applying for Russian Government scholarships for the 2026/27 academic year. 197 applicants submitted applications this year, confirming sustained interest in Russian higher education.

Of these, 82 students are undergoing in-person interviews at Russian House today. Another 115 candidates will participate in online interviews scheduled for February 20. Interviews cover all education levels — Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD — to select the most motivated and prepared students.

Selected candidates will study across a wide range of academic programs — from medicine and engineering to management, tourism, and other specialties — at leading Russian universities. The «Study in Russia» initiative and government quota system provide Nepali students with the opportunity to receive high-quality, fully funded education, strengthening cultural and educational ties between Nepal and Russia.

16/02/2026

When people talk about winter Russia, they imagine ski resorts, snow-capped Baikal, Veliky Ustyug, and Murmansk with northern lights hunting. But every year, the tourism industry continues to develop, offering new, creative leisure options.
For adventure seekers, we share a selection of the most unusual outdoor activities in our country.

Ice Diving

Imagine descending into crystal-clear water with no sounds, an ice ceiling above your head. Exhaled bubbles freeze into flat discs right above you, creating unique decor. Perfect visibility and smooth ice create an antigravity illusion. This meditative and technical dive is available in Leningrad Region, White Sea, Altai Lakes, and Baikal.
Ice-Floating or "Dry" Walrus Swimming

Swim in a special drysuit that fully isolates your body from water in natural ice reservoirs. You relax on your back as current or wind slowly carries you along snow-covered shores. Key locations: Karelia lakes, Sochi Mountain rivers (Krasnaya Polyana), Kirov Region, Vladivostok. It strengthens immunity while providing new emotions.

Ice Tracking

Walking frozen waterfalls with crampons and ice axes, or hiking winter landscapes. Tread transparent ice revealing blue water below, climb ice hummocks, explore ice caves, seeking frost's incredible patterns. A meditative sport for impressions over speed—walk where ships sail in summer. Go to: Khibiny Mountains, Ramzai Gorge, Karelia, Lake Ladoga, Lake Elton.
Which activity would you try? Share in comments!