The 66th anniversary of Russia, or the then-Soviet Union, becoming the first country to have an artificial satellite in space, has been marked with three days of activities in capital Dhaka.

The "Sputnik Cosmofest" was held from October 5-7, arranged jointly by Russian House in Dhaka, with the Bangladesh Astronomical Association (BAA) and Green Bud Nursery School.

Inaugurating the event with a press conference, Pavel Dyovchenkov, the Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, graciously welcomed all the media personalities and briefed them about Sputnik-1, as well as the history of the contemporary Russian space program and its impact on global progress.

He also said that the Russian House in Dhaka is generous in its cooperation in all matters, including education, culture, and science.

The press conference was also attended by prominent print, online, and television media representatives of Bangladesh, painters, and people involved in social activities.

Throughout the program, there was a photo exhibition, a painting competition and exhibition, a space observation camp and a rocket model-making competition.

On the occasion, Chairman of the Bangladesh Astronomical Association Mashhurul Amin thanked the director of Russian House for the overall support of the event.

Hundreds of students from different schools in Dhaka spontaneously participated in the various competitions organized at BAA's office and Green Bud Nursery School in Old Dhaka.

The head of the Russian House in Dhaka  Pavel Dvoychenkov distributed certificates among the participants.