Pushkin’s 226th birth anniversary marked

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 9: The 226th birth anniversary of Russian poet, playwright, and novelist Alexander Pushkin was recently celebrated with various programmes.

At an event organised by the Nepal-Russia Literary Society and the Russian House, Deputy Director of the Russian House, Sakanush Vanyan, remarked that Pushkin elevated the Russian language. "There is a different Pushkin within each individual," she said.

Chairperson of Sajha Prakashan, Shekhar Giri, spoke about the importance of language and literature and praised the efforts of the Nepal-Russia Literary Society.

Chair of the event, Bishnu Bahadur Singh, noted that had Pushkin not existed in Russia, the dominance of other languages might have prevailed.

Vice President of the Society, Chandrakanta Acharya, shared plans to make the society’s future activities even more creative.

General Secretary Rambindu Shrestha expressed the view that literature connects hearts across the world, which is why Nepalis remember Pushkin with deep respect.

During the event, Deputy Director Sakanush Vanyan, along with Bhawana Nyaupane, Sushma Khatri Ranjit, Shakuntala Joshi, Kiran Darnal, Praveen Joshi, Santosh Pokharel, Manju Mishra, Dr. Janpali, and Bishnu Bahadur Singh recited Pushkin’s poems, while some participants presented their own original poetry.  

Messages of good wishes sent from Moscow by Tamara Patyomkina, a member of the Russian Writers’ Union, and Prof. Dr. Jungab Chauhan, former president of the Society and Nepali ambassador to the Russian Federation, added further charm to the event.

Born on June 6, 1799, in Moscow, Pushkin died in a duel on February 10, 1837. Regarded as a great poet of the Russian language, Pushkin is also considered the founder of modern Russian literature.

Pushkin's birthday, June 6, is also celebrated as Russian Language Day. On this occasion, Russian language teacher Sushil Sigdel introduced Pushkin and presented interesting facts about the Russian language, its unique features, and its global significance.