SATV 29 May, Kathmandu: French artists are set to perform a musical tribute at the Annapurna base camp in honour of Maurice Herzog, the first climber to summit the mountain.
The performance is part of the Diamond Jubilee celebration marking the 75th anniversary of the first ascent of Annapurna I.
On June 3, 1950 humans set foot on Annapurna I (8,091 meters) for the first time. For this reason, Annapurna is also referred to as the eldest mountain.
A French musical group will perform at the base camp to honor Maurice Herzog, who led the French expedition alongside Louis Lachenal and two Nepali Sherpas.
The team, led by Herzog’s son Mathieu Herzog, has already arrived in Nepal and will trek to the base camp for their performance.
According to Bharat Kumar Pun, Chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality, the musical event will be held on June 2 and 3 at the base camp, Narchyang, Ghorepani Poon Hill.
He said that the proposed performances by French artists in memory of the first summiteer of Annapurna have brought great excitement to the community. These international performances are expected to boost global promotion of Annapurna.
Distinguished guests, including the French Ambassador to Nepal, are also expected to attend the musical event.
A total of 14 individuals including Herzog’s son, Matthieu Emmanuel Maximilien, grandson Simon Jacques, French mountaineering researchers, and the musical team will participate in the programme.
The Diamond Jubilee festival is being organised from May 31 to June 3 under the leadership of the rural municipality, in coordination with the Nepal Tourism Board, Mountaineering Association, ACAP, and local tourism management committees.
According to Indra Singh Sherchan, a member of the tourism committee, locals are actively preparing for the celebration.
Chairperson Pun added that this is the first official government event at the base camp of Annapurna I, and it has uplifted the entire Myagdi community.
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli will unveil half-body statues of Maurice Herzog, Louis Lachenal, and the first Nepali summiteer Sonam Wangchuk Sherpa at the base camp and inaugurate an open museum on June 3.
After the base camp ceremony, the Prime Minister will attend the main Diamond Jubilee programme in Beni, Narchyang, organised by the celebration committee.
To reach the base camp from the center of Annapurna Rural Municipality in Pokharebagar, one must first travel 22 kilometers by vehicle to Homsikhola, followed by a 21-kilometer trek.
The route used by Herzog during the original ascent has been named the ‘Maurice Herzog Trail’ by the rural municipality in his honour, and infrastructure development has been carried out along the trail. Prime Minister Oli is also scheduled to inaugurate this trail.
