Kathmandu – The three-day Cosmonautics Festival, organized to mark the 65th anniversary of human spaceflight and to honor Yuri Gagarin’s historic contribution, concluded in Kathmandu with a series of educational and cultural events.
Jointly hosted by the Nepal Russia Science and Technology Society, Squad of Change Makers, Russian House, and the Russian Embassy, the festival ran from April 8–10 and featured lectures, workshops, exhibitions, and interactive sessions aimed at inspiring young minds toward space science and innovation.
On the second day, a seminar was held in collaboration with Mitra Kunj and Russian House, where Dr. Nanda Bikram Adhikari, Associate Professor at Tribhuvan University, presented on “Nepal’s Space Program Timeline and Its Place in the Global Space Arena.” A documentary on space history was also screened.
The final day began with a tribute at Yuri Gagarin’s statue in Ratnapark. Acting Russian Ambassador Rinchen Rakshaev highlighted the significance of International Cosmonautics Day and the inspiration of space exploration.
Later, the main program at Russian House drew around 100 students and teachers, with presentations on “The Vastness of the Universe” and “The Future of Space Travel.” Interactive Q&A sessions, games, and awards for outstanding participants of the aerospace and rocketry workshops added to the engagement.
Earlier sessions included rocket science workshops where 25 students from Kathmandu schools designed, built, and tested model rockets, gaining both theoretical and practical experience. Organizers emphasized that the festival aimed to spark curiosity among youth about aerospace fundamentals and encourage innovation.
An exhibition titled “Beyond Earth: 65 Years of Yuri Gagarin’s Historic Spaceflight” was also unveiled at Russian House, showcasing Gagarin’s life, achievements, and Russia’s pioneering role in space exploration.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, academic Madanlal Shrestha stressed the growing importance of science and technology education in Nepal and called for greater international collaboration to expand Nepal’s participation in space science.
