Kathmandu: Hon. Shisir Khanal, Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the handover ceremony of the Josef Peter Rindfleisch Collection of Historical Documents of Nepal to the National Archives of Nepal on October 2.
On the occasion, the historical collection comprising more than 800 historical Nepali manuscripts and documents dating from the 13th to the 20th century was formally handed over to Minister Khanal by Professor Dr. Axel Michaels of the Heidelberg University and the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities.
In his address, Minister Khanal highlighted the importance of the return of the historical manuscripts to Nepal as a milestone in the preservation, protection and promotion of Nepal’s written cultural heritage. He commended the efforts of Professor Michaels of the Heidelberg University, the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, the Embassy of Nepal in Berlin, scholars, researchers and institutions involved in the process of the repatriation of the valuable artefacts.
The Minister further reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Nepal to repatriating the historical antiquities from around the world in the days ahead.
The ceremony also featured remarks by Ram Bahadur Kunwar, Director General of the National Archives; Professor Michaels; and H.E. Udo Eugen Volz, Ambassador of Germany to Nepal. The event was also attended by senior officials of the Government of Nepal, scholars, researchers, cultural experts, and media representatives.
The event was jointly organized by the National Archives Nepal, Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies, Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, and Saraf Foundation.
