September 25, 2024
Moscow, Russia
Renowned Nepal multilingual poet Santosh Kumar Pokharel has once again brought international recognition to Nepal by receiving the prestigious Gold Feather of Russia Award. Pokharel was honored for his Russian poem, “Beauty of Russia,” during a special ceremony in Moscow. Along with the award, he received a diploma inscribed with the title “Gold Feather of Russia,” Certificate No. 288. Svetlana Savitskaya, a prominent Russian figure, pinned a 22-carat gold feather to his coat in a symbolic gesture, marking this significant achievement.
This accolade follows Pokharel’s reception of the Maxim Gorky Award from the USSR Writers’ Union, further solidifying his status as a celebrated figure in the literary world. His works, now translated into 39 languages, have garnered widespread admiration, elevating Nepal’s presence on the global literary stage.
Pokharel has spent the past two months in Russia promoting peace through his Russian-language poems. His stay included a month in Kaliningrad, followed by time in Moscow, and a visit to Dagestan at the invitation of the Writers’ Union of Dagestan. There, he participated in a three-day event, engaging with key members of the Russian Writers’ Union and local media. His translations of Dagestani poet Rasul Gamzatov’s masterpiece “Zhurabli” into English and Nepali have been particularly well-received.
Recognized as an esteemed poet in both Dagestan and Russia, Pokharel recently delivered a speech in Russian at a concert and book launch event at the Tbilisi Restaurant in central Moscow. This event strengthened his connections with literary communities in Georgia and Chechnya.
Pokharel’s works are also featured in the newly released anthology Otrajenie, a 310-page collection of poetry by 30 eminent poets. Twelve of his poems, translated by Russian poets, are included in the hardcover edition.
Nepal eagerly awaits Pokharel’s return, celebrating his role as an ambassador of peace and a literary icon. His recent accolades highlight his contributions to global literature and the promotion of cultural unity.
