The lecture will connect the history of South Asia and philately: postage stamps will become keys to the fates of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. The discussion will focus on Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. Each of these countries has its own dramatic biography. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have gone through long conflicts and civil wars, fighting for the right to have an independent voice. Nepal and Bhutan have remained almost inaccessible to Europeans for centuries, preserving their internal order, political traditions, and cultural treasures. The Maldives, familiar to many from postcards and tourist images, will be presented in a historical context as a country with its own complex trajectory and important place in South Asia. A special feature of the meeting is the lecturer's personal collection. Philatelist-historian Vladimir Nelepin will showcase stamps that he considers evidence of real events. Find other events in St. Petersburg on KUDAGO.