BHAKTPUR – Most of the sculptors were busy in carving wood in the yard of Nepal Vocational Academy located in front of Saraswoti School, Bhaktapur. There were many artistic sculptures including a full-size metal statue of late king Prithvi Narayan Shah.
As the artisans at the Academy were busy in their work, a team comprising Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, paid a visit there on Wednesday. The activities in the Academy attracted the Duke of Edinburgh’s attention and he tried his hand in wood carving.
On the occasion, craftsmen taught Prince Edward about artistic sculptures and he, carrying tools, gave a try at wood carving. The Prince along with British Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, had visited historic heritage sites in Bhaktapur at the invitation of Chief of Nepal Vocational Academy and Heritage expert, Rabindra Puri.
Head of the Academy and heritage specialist Puri said the Academy has been contributing to heritage conservation transferring the traditional skills to the new generation by imparting training on woodcraft and sculpture. The Duke of Edinburgh Edward appreciated Academy’s this work.
Puri had welcomed the visiting dignitary’s team to Bhaktapur Durbar Square and gave information on the historical art and artifacts in the World Heritage Site. The Duke and Duchess and their entourage had observed the Nyatapol Temple, the model house, the Dattatraya Temple on the occasion.
After this, the royal couple had reached the Academy. The members of the British Royal Family also observed the Basuki Ghar at local Nagpokhari. They spent three hours in Bhaktapur. Prince Edward and Princess Sophie had arrived in Bhaktapur Wednesday in connection with attending separate programmes. Prince Edward visited the SOS Children’s Village at local Sanothimi.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh had arrived Nepal on Tuesday. During their Nepal visit, the British royal couple is scheduled to visit the British Embassy in Kathmandu, the National Botanical Garden at Godavari, ICIMOD and Pokhara among others.
