BHAKTAPUR: A number of sculptors were busy carving wood in the yard of Nepal Vocational Academy, located in front of Saraswoti School in Bhaktapur.
Among the artistic creations on display was a full-size metal statue of the late King Prithvi Narayan Shah.
As the artisans continued their work, a team led by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, visited the Academy on Wednesday.
The intricate activities caught the Duke’s attention, and he took the opportunity to try his hand at wood carving.
On the occasion, the craftsmen at the Academy taught Prince Edward about the art of sculpting, and he enthusiastically began carving on a piece of wood using the tools provided.
The Prince, accompanied by the British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, had been visiting historic heritage sites in Bhaktapur at the invitation of the Chief of Nepal Vocational Academy and heritage expert, Rabindra Puri.
Puri, the head of the Academy and a specialist in heritage conservation, highlighted that the Academy plays a vital role in preserving traditional skills by training the next generation in woodcraft and sculpture.
The Duke of Edinburgh praised the Academy’s efforts in preserving cultural heritage.
Puri welcomed the royal visitors to Bhaktapur Durbar Square and provided information on the historical art and artifacts within this World Heritage Site.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, along with their entourage, toured the Nyatapol Temple, the Model House, and the Dattatraya Temple during their visit.
Following this, the royal couple visited the Nepal Vocational Academy. They also toured Basuki Ghar at Nagpokhari. The royal visit lasted for about three hours in Bhaktapur.
On Wednesday, Prince Edward and Princess Sophie arrived in Bhaktapur to attend separate events. Prince Edward also visited the SOS Children’s Village in Sanothimi.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh had arrived in Nepal on Tuesday. During their visit, the British royal couple is scheduled to visit the British Embassy in Kathmandu, the National Botanical Garden at Godavari, ICIMOD, and Pokhara, among other locations.
Comment