Kozhikode Corporation pays tribute to Afanasy Nikitin

Customs Road in city renamed after the Russian traveller

A Russian traveller came to Kozhikode more than 20 years before Vasco da Gama landed here and filled more than two pages of his book of memoirs with the customs and traditions of the coastal city.

The Kozhikode Corporation on Sunday paid tribute to that traveller, Afanasy Nikitin, commemorating the 550th anniversary of his visit to Kozhikode. Moreover, Customs Road in the city was renamed after Nikitin, also establishing a ‘twin city’ status with Tver, the birth place of Nikitin.

A Russian delegation was in the city to be part of the commemoration and also to mark the 75th anniversary of the Indo-Russian diplomatic links. “Nikitin discovered India for the Russian population. He has given a vivid account of the customs and way of life in the Malabar coast,” said Oleg Avdeev, Consul General of the Russian Federation in South India, delivering his keynote address. “Nikitin came here for trade but spent all his earnings to explore India,” he added.

Chairman of the Russian Association for International Cooperation Sergey Kalashnikov, in his address, pointed out the need for good relations between countries.

Minister for Public Works and Tourism P.A. Mohamed Riyas, in his inaugural address, recalled the treaty of peace and friendship between the two countries and the popularity that Russian literature enjoyed in Kerala. He said Kerala was the second favoured destination after Goa among Russian tourists and hinted at the possibility of a better partnership in the sector. Appreciating the corporation for honouring Nikitin, the Minister said the Russian traveller did not come to conquer the country but only to establish trade relations, which made him different from Gama.

Mayor Beena Philip presided over the event, which was organised in association with the Russian House, Thiruvananthapuram, and the Honorary Consulate of the Russian Federation in Thiruvananthapuram. She said a Russian food festival would be held on Customs Road, renamed after Afanasy Nikitin, a year later.