"Nepal is a country that gives birth to heroes"

At the event, Ambassador Fen also drew everyone's attention by giving a speech in Nepali language about the relationship between the two countries. Jagdishwar Pandey of Kantipur, edited part of the conversation with Ambassador Fen, who can speak Nepali language and is studying, about Nepal, Nepali environment, music, etc. :

When did you come to Nepal and how did you like Nepal?

I came to Nepal for the first time with my family last July. It was the middle of the rainy season. But we wanted to go outside the Kathmandu Valley. And we reached Gorkha, Pokhara and Chitwan by car. The roads are really bumpy and weird. But it was good to experience as a Nepali people while traveling at that time. Nepal is geographically rich. Nepal is like Britain. But the geography here is diverse.

You met Nepalis during work, how did Nepalis feel?

The behavior of Nepalis is very friendly. They respect and love their guests very much. This Wednesday morning I had breakfast with Hari Magar, a true hero of Nepal. He climbed Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, without both legs. I was very impressed with him. He is still planning to climb the highest mountains of every continent. Then he was planning to travel from the North Pole to the South Pole. So that he will bring interest to the 'third pole' in the Hindu Kush Himalayas. Nepal produces heroes like him every day, it's great. Nepal is producing heroes even in various uncomfortable situations.

How do you like Nepal's climate?

The start here was wet in the rainy season. Since then we have been experiencing a different climate. My previous assignment was in Jakarta, Indonesia. There were no different seasons. Jakarta had only hot and wet weather. The weather there was hot and humid. It is different in Nepal. Nepal has different seasons. And, I love it. It was rainy, then it got hot and now it's cold, again in the phase of climate change. In 'Spring' I feel at home in this environment.

Do you like to speak Nepali language?

(answer in Nepali language) I am learning Nepali language. In my opinion Nepali language is very important. I have given two exams. I will try to learn Nepali language. But the result of the exam has not come yet.

Then what else do you want to say in Nepali?

(Nepali language answer) My name is Rab. I am the British Ambassador. I am very happy in Nepal. Nepal looks very beautiful. I am very happy as the British Ambassador.

Have you tasted Nepali food and do you have a favorite Nepali food?

I don't say I like myself. Because everyone says they like me. But I like me. On Tuesday evening I had a delicious mutton curry, which was excellent. I have tasted Newari food. I remember, during Christmas time we went to the stupa in Kirtipur and had Newari food.

Have you eaten dal?

(answer in Nepali) I eat dal every day. I love lentils a lot. Dalbhat is very sweet.

Have you celebrated Nepal's festivals? What is your favorite festival?

I haven't lived in Nepal for a whole year yet. There are many festivals in Nepal. Some festivals are over and some are yet to come. And I have visited Kumari Jatra and observed it. I also celebrated Tihar. I have to say that my favorite Nepali festival is Dasain. Had a great experience on Dasain. Inside and outside the embassy we had a Dasain party for the embassy family. There was dancing. It was a lot of fun. It also remained spiritual. I really liked the fact that many Nepalis go to their homes and celebrate the festival together.

Have you listened to Nepali music?

I listen to Nepali music. It was 'Herne Katha' that drew my attention to Nepali music. Which I watch and am working on improving my Nepali language. The makers of 'Herne Katha' seem to use such a trick that they fill the public with musical instruments using them within the film. In which it is seen that people sing songs and make music using local instruments in villages and other places. And, it makes for a very special documentary. I want to say clearly, a lot of people in this country love music.

What is your opinion about Nepali literature? Have you read any Nepali literature?

I know about Nepali literature. A book with me is written by our embassy friend Sumit Sameer. The name of this book is 'Wake Up Ali... Wake Up Now'. This is real literature. I have not finished reading this book. But, that's really great. It's great to have such talent in your team. I still need to learn about Nepali literature. It is translated. One day I will study in Nepali myself.

Have you seen a Nepali movie?

Last week I watched the movie 'Gorkha Warrior'. This is a film made by a Nepali about a Nepali legend. The film was about the war in Malaya. Where the Nepalese Gurkhas gave a performance of outstanding bravery. And, it was a good movie. Because I was not in Nepali, I could not understand everything. But I want to go and watch the movie again with my son.

What places in Nepal have you visited so far? What is your favorite place?

I want to go to as many places as possible. Three provinces are the main priority under development cooperation work at our embassy. I have been from Madhes to Lumbini and Karnali Pradesh. The visit to Janakpur was excellent. I have to go there again with my wife. I want to go there and strengthen my marriage again. Janakpur is the home of Princess Sita. I felt great joy when I went to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. I went to Chitwan with my family this New Year 2024. See Nepal's success stories in wildlife conservation. I was amazed to see rhinoceros, tigers and dolphins in the river. The mature elephants were very graceful. In Karnali I went with Development Minister Andrew Mitchell. We reached there with the help of Nepali army helicopter. We observed the irrigation project there. And, we have seen how a province like Karnali is challenged based on geography. The communities we connected with were far from road facilities. My favorite place that hasn't been yet is Mustang. My dream is to go to Mustang. There I would like to see a pashmina product. Pashmina saree, I want to see where Changra comes from. Also, I would like to draw out the bhutla from those holes myself. Because Britain is cooperating with Nepal to manufacture Pashmina from Changra. Its slogan is, 'Palm to Fashion.' We want to see Changra, Pashmina products being exported from Nepali business. They are 100% Pashmina, unlike any other.

Nepal is considered a rich country of art and culture, what is your opinion about this?

I've seen a lot of great art here. Kathmandu Valley is a civilization in itself. Unbelievable art. Much of the art here, like in Europe, is inspired by religion. For people like me who do not follow Hinduism or Buddhism, it is difficult to understand art. But the arts are attractive. I love written, engraved shoes. For example, even though there was an earthquake in Nepal, it was rebuilt. The Art Council for Modern Art has worked very effectively and professionally. Also studies and researches on art. Also, I have seen a lot of great art in Nepali homes. They have lived with art. I have not seen so many in other countries.

It has been 100 years since the 'Treaty of Friendship' signed between Nepal and Britain in 1923. What is your opinion on this?

One of the best things about coming to Nepal in 2023 as the British Ambassador is that it has been 100 years since the Treaty of Friendship between Nepal and Britain. A hundred years ago, we had a treaty for cooperation. It was a 'unique' treaty. The treaty institutionalized the friendship between the two countries. I think that making the treaty was useful for Nepal. What Britain and Nepal knew was informed to the world through the treaty, that Nepal is a sovereign country. Nepal was never colonized and nobody ruled it. Nepal itself. It's great to celebrate that. It will be celebrated at the government level and among the people. In the program at the British meeting at Singha Durbar, we sat like our forefathers, giving a glimpse of the signing of the treaty a hundred years ago. I tried to speak in Nepali. Foreign Minister made a speech from the Nepali side. Both countries benefited from the treaty. From where a good relationship was established at the public level as well. We want to celebrate the treaty consistently. We will be celebrating the achievement of this treaty until December 24 this year. The British Council is holding an exhibition about Nepal in the UK. Then we have a strategic dialogue. Our friendship will see many events in the future.