Nepal–Russia Museum Cooperation Expands, Training Planned for Nepali Specialists
Dragon Media News Desk
Russian Ambassador to Nepal Alexei Surovtsev has met in Kathmandu with a delegation from the Russian National Committee of the International Council of Museums, ICOM Russia.
According to the Russian Embassy in Nepal, the meeting focused on expanding direct contacts between museums and museum professionals from Nepal and Russia, exchanging expertise, preserving cultural heritage and developing professional capacity.
The Russian delegation includes Artem Silkin, Vice President of ICOM Russia and Director of the Sviyazhsk Island-Town Museum-Reserve; Olga Chistanova, Executive Director of ICOM Russia; and Natalia Fedyanina, a board member and Director of the Norilsk Museum.
The delegation’s visit to Nepal was organised with the support of the Russian House in Kathmandu. The visit is aimed at studying Nepal’s museum sector and establishing direct contacts with the leadership of major museums and related institutions.
As part of the programme, the delegation will visit major museum complexes in the Kathmandu Valley, hold discussions with officials from museums and heritage institutions, and exchange experience in conservation and museum management.
Earlier, ICOM Nepal Chairman Ramesh Dawadi participated in the St Petersburg International United Cultures Forum with the support of the Russian Embassy in Nepal. The current visit by the Russian delegation has been presented as a continuation of that engagement and cooperation.
An expert roundtable on the museum sector is scheduled to be held at the Russian House on July 23. Representatives from more than 15 museums across Nepal are expected to participate.
The discussion is expected to cover museum management, conservation of cultural and historical collections, documentation, exhibition organisation, the use of modern technologies and the professional development of museum personnel.
The International Council of Museums was established in Paris in 1946 as an international professional organisation for museums and museum specialists. It works in the fields of cultural heritage protection, professional museum standards, international cooperation and the expansion of expert networks.
Following the visit of the Russian delegation, plans are being considered to organise educational and training programmes aimed at improving the skills and professional capacity of Nepali museum specialists.
The initiative is expected to expand cultural relations between Nepal and Russia from traditional exchanges into institutional museum cooperation, specialist training and practical heritage conservation.
Photo: Sofya Silkina
