Kathmandu: The Embassy of Nepal in Portugal organized a special event in Lisbon to celebrate International Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) Day and commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the first successful ascent of the world’s highest peak.
Welcoming guests at the event, Nepal’s Ambassador to Portugal, Prakash Mani Paudel, highlighted the historic achievements of legendary climbers Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary. He described their accomplishment as a powerful symbol of human courage, endurance, and perseverance. Ambassador Paudel also stressed the importance of preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem for future generations.
A key highlight of the program was an address by renowned Portuguese alpinist João Garcia, who shared his experiences of climbing Mount Everest and other Himalayan peaks. Garcia, who has successfully climbed all fourteen of the world’s mountains above 8,000 meters—including Sagarmatha without supplemental oxygen—praised Nepal’s hospitality and mountaineering heritage. During the event, Ambassador Paudel felicitated Garcia in recognition of his extraordinary achievements and his long-standing affection for Nepal.
The celebration also featured documentary videos showcasing Nepal’s mountaineering history as well as the country’s rich natural and cultural heritage, aimed at promoting tourism. Nepali artists residing in Portugal added a cultural dimension to the event with performances of classical dances and musical presentations.
The program was attended by officials from Portugal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies, Lisbon-based ambassadors and diplomats, tourism and business entrepreneurs, journalists, and members of the Nepali diaspora, including the Embassy family.
The event highlighted Nepal’s continued efforts to promote its mountaineering legacy, tourism potential, and environmental conservation message on the international stage while strengthening people-to-people ties between Nepal and Portugal.
