To commemorate the 30th year since the historic climb of the first Nepali woman to climb Everest, the Pasang Lhamu Mountaineering Foundation organized the fund raising premier of “PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest,” at the QFX Civil Mall in Kathmandu.
Dev Raj Ghimire, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly Members Sonam Gyalzen Sherpa and Bimala Rai Paudyal. Ambassadors, representatives from different Embassies, UN Offices, INGOs, Media attended the event. The premiere was followed by a Q & A with the director Nancy Svendsen, Sharon Wood, the director and Ang Dorje Sherpa, executive producer.
“PASANG: In the Shadow of Everest,” a 72minute feature film premiered at the Santa Barba International Film Festival in March 2022, which chronicles Pasang Lhamu Sherpa’s tragic and inspiring journey. As an unschooled, indigenous woman and a Buddhist in a Hindu kingdom, Pasang’s dream to scale the legendary mountain pits her against family, foreign climbers, her own government, and nature itself. Her determined pursuit of Everest plays out within the context of her nation’s quest for democracy and the emergence of the commercial climbing industry. The film features testimonies of those close to Pasang Lhamu, as well as accounts of some of the world’s most notable alpinists, and by Pasang herself. The narrative is one that contextualizes the history and contributions of one the most significant Nepali women of the 20th century. The film has been screened at 30 film festivals and has won 14 awards including the prestigious Festivals at Telluride, Colorado, BANFF, Canada and Kendal Mountain Festival in UK.
Dawa F. Sherpa, President of the foundation and the eldest daughter of Pasang Lhamu said “It is a story about how a national hero never backed down, and always put Nepal first. She did not take no for an answer, especially when she was denied the opportunity to ascend. She was not allowed to climb on her first try. On all three attempts, there were many who discouraged her. But, there were also many who supported her”
During the Q &A Session, Nancy Svendsen, the American filmmaker said “Since I first heard the story of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa from my brother-in-law Ang Dorjee Sherpa, I have been captivated by this charismatic woman who faced profound obstacles to follow her dream. Pasang’s personal story is one of great courage— universally relevant and inspiring. Her death was tragic, but her life was not-- she inspired a generation of young Nepali climbers to believe Everest was possible for them.”
Dawa F. Sherpa also thanked the audience which will enable the foundation to take the film across Nepal, reaching out to women and children. The film will be released on April 28 at QFX Cinemas.
With the aim of reaching and engaging with an audience beyond the Kathmandu Valley, additional 15 screenings of the film will be organized in Province 1 & 2 with the funds raised from the fundraising premiere. The primary target for the program will be students and women’s organizations involved in various advocacy work in their respective provinces.
“I want people in rural Nepal to see this film and be inspired, especially adolescent girls and women” added Sherpa.
About Pasang Lhamu Sherpa
On April 22, 1993, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa created mountaineering history by becoming the first Nepali woman to blaze a trail to the summit of Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world. On 22nd of April, 2002, nine years after her record, she became the first woman of recent history to be enlisted as a National Luminary of Nepal. Pasang Lhamu’s achievement has not only proved that Nepali women are as brave and strong as their male counterparts, but also is indicative of their determination and resolute character. Pasang Lhamu was extremely committed to her dream, the reason why she succeeded and, in so doing, made her nation and her people proud.
Pasang Lhamu Mountaineering Foundation
Pasang Lhamu Mountaineering Foundation (PLMF) is a non-profit that was established in 1993 to commemorate the life and achievements of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa. The Foundation in effect continues the legacy of Pasang Lhamu and furthers her vision. The organization has focused on supporting women and children particularly in the high mountains of Nepal. Existing activities have often centered around women empowerment, tourism development, public health, and education. PLMF strongly believes in gender equality and the necessity of creating supportive environments for women to achieve their full potential in a society that often doubts and purposefully undermines their capacities.
Past works have included: the rebuilding of schools and providing scholarships, a designated scholarship program supports girls and children of women mountaineers; through the Nicole Niquille Hospital in Lukla, a critical medical service is provided for the region bringing care to local residents and visitors alike; and skill development through workshops and training programs especially designed for mountaineers and guides such as emergency rescue and evacuation, first aid, and rock climbing.
Plans for the Film in Nepal
For the 30th anniversary of her ascent, we aim to organize a series of screenings and programs across Nepal to commemorate her achievements in addition to furthering discussions on the role of women’s leadership in the country. The foundation has plans on taking the documentary alongside an exhibit and programming to all provinces of Nepal. The goal is to highlight the life and work of Pasang Lhamu as a means to underscore the importance of women’s leadership in Nepali society. A brief history of Pasang Lhamu’s achievements is taught to all students as part of the national curriculum; however minimal materials exist to further contextualize or explore the subject in a more interactive or in-depth manner. The central themes of the documentary deal with democratic rights, women’s empowerment, representation of ethnic minorities all of which have become salient topics in Nepali political and social discourse of the past few decades.
With the aim of reaching and engaging with an audience beyond the Kathmandu Valley, additional 10 screenings will be organized in Province 1 & 2 with the funds raised from the fundraising premiere. This will entail showing the film followed by an interaction. The primary target for the program will be students and women’s organizations involved in various advocacy works in their respective provinces. A small contextual exhibit will also be taken to each province and displayed at a publicly accessible venue to give further information about the role of women mountaineers in Nepal.
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