Nepal and Canada Mark 60 Years of Ties with Vibrant Sagarmatha Day in Vancouver

KATHMANDU: The Embassy of Nepal in Ottawa and the Canada-Nepal Friendship and Cultural Society (CANFACS) jointly hosted a vibrant celebration of International Mount Everest (Sagarmatha) Day in Burnaby, Vancouver, as part of the ongoing year-long commemoration of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nepal and Canada.

Bharat Raj Paudyal, Nepal’s Ambassador to Canada, delivered the keynote address, reflecting on the historic 1953 first ascent of Mount Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary. He praised the invaluable contributions of the Sherpa community to Himalayan mountaineering and highlighted Nepal’s unique offerings—from adventure tourism to spiritual and cultural heritage—encouraging Canadians to experience Nepal firsthand.

The celebration brought together notable Everest summiteers, including Sherpa Dave Rodney, Doma Sherpa, Christopher Dare, and Pemba Tshering Sherpa. Each shared compelling stories from their Everest climbs, inspiring the audience with tales of courage, resilience, and passion for the mountains. Ambassador Paudyal honored the climbers with plaques of recognition for their achievements and their role in promoting Nepal and Nepali mountaineering globally.

Prominent Canadian leaders such as the Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, MLA Paul Choi, and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley delivered remarks highlighting the deepening Nepal-Canada friendship and the cultural significance of Mount Everest. Representatives from the Nepali diaspora also spoke, emphasizing people-to-people connections and shared values.

The event featured a colorful showcase of cultural performances by Nepali and Canadian artists, including traditional Nepali dances such as the Kumari, Vajrayogini, Tamang, Limbu, and Lakhe dances, as well as an Indigenous Canadian performance, reflecting the cultural richness and mutual respect between the two communities.

The event was attended by a broad audience, including members of the Nepali diaspora, entrepreneurs, cultural figures, and guests from across Canada and the United States, making it a fitting tribute to both Mount Everest and six decades of Nepal-Canada relations.