The Nepali Embassy and the Non-Resident Nepali Association Korea unveiled its culture center with a charity night on Thursday.

The opening ceremony for the Nepal House was marked by dignitaries including Nepali Ambassador Kaman Singh Lama and Lee In-jung, head of the Korean Alpine Federation.

Also showing support for the house was CNN’s 2010 Hero of the Year, Anuradha Koirala, who provided support and shelter for over 12,000 women and children who have been rescued from brothels in Nepal since 1994.

“The Nepal House may have started out small but with all of your help it will grow to become bigger,” said Lama.

“I hope that the opening of the Nepal House will serve as a means to promote the diversity of Nepal’s culture and the beauty of Nepali nature that is surrounded by the Himalayan Range,” said Koirala.

The cultural center was set up to help the growing number Nepali children and spouses of multicultural families adjust to life in Korea, according to a press release by the NRN.

The association also wished to educate the community here about the country’s culture and religion. It found that the majority of Koreans believe that India is the birthplace of Buddha, when it is acknowledged that Lumbini, Nepal is thought to be the actual birthplace.

The cultural center will serve as an umbrella for several different functions for Nepali expatriates, Koreans and those visiting the country.

The Nepal House will offer tourism information to the country known for its scenic beauty, including culture and language, as the country is famous for mountaineering, with Everest lying in the Himalayan Range. For those looking to invest in the country the center will also provide information regarding opportunities.

The Nepal House will regularly provide cultural events as well including movies, documentaries, traditional dance and singing lessons, and other events to learn about the country.

The Nepal House also serves as a community center for the some 17,000 Nepali expatriates living in the country. The center provides Nepali and English lessons, and cultural lessons for the children of multicultural families. For adults, the center will also provide Korean and computer classes, cultural lectures for those adjusting to life in Korea, and as a shelter for Nepalese in need.

The center is the only place in Korea that provides Nepali lectures, held every Saturday.

For more information about the center please contact kp4848@yahoo.com.

By Robert Lee (robert@heraldcorp.com)