More than a hundred people gathered last Friday, March 28th, at Palau Robert in Barcelona to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Amics del Nepal association.
It was a heartfelt event that served to share stories and experiences from thirty years of working for Nepal’s most vulnerable communities. It was also a moment to thank all the Friends who support us and make it possible to directly help 250 children, youth, and women every year, and indirectly benefit over 500 people in the community.
The celebration was full of memorable moments.
Documentary Premiere
The documentary “30 anys fent Amics” (“30 Years Making Friends”) by Miquel Comas, vice president of Amics del Nepal, premiered during the event.
Making friends is always an adventure; discovering Nepal is a journey of wonder — not only into a new world and its people, but also into oneself. Since 1995, the association has built support networks in vulnerable communities, promoting education, health, and sustainability projects thanks to the dedication of more than 300 members and volunteers. Thirty years of a shared path, of intersecting stories that build one single story — the story of Amics del Nepal. This documentary is a window into that journey, into the voices and experiences that have shaped this narrative.
Round Table with Nepal Enthusiasts
One of the most anticipated moments of the evening was the round table discussion titled “Nepal: Past, Present, and Future,” featuring several renowned speakers who shared their personal and professional experiences in Nepal:
- Ferran Latorre, mountaineer and mountain guide, was the first Catalan and fourth Spaniard to summit all 14 of the world’s eight-thousanders without oxygen, completing the challenge in 2017 with Mount Everest.
- Lluís Belvis, honorary general consul of Nepal in Barcelona since 1986, has led numerous expeditions to the Himalayas as a mountaineer.
- Hug Cirici, graphic designer and filmmaker, a passionate explorer of Eastern religions and philosophies, discovered Buddhism and Hinduism at a deeply transformative moment in his life.
- Pel Aced, doctor and mountaineer, has participated in expeditions in the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Peruvian Andes.
- Cèsar Comas Gras, educator and mountaineer, has been part of expeditions to the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, Central Africa, and the Peruvian Andes.
The event was hosted by Ester Pinart, co-director and co-presenter of the program “Tots els matins del món” on Catalunya Música.
Thanks to Members, Volunteers, and the Professional Team
The institutional part of the event ended with a speech by Cristina Morales, president and co-founder of the association, who thanked all the individuals, companies, and institutions that have supported the organization over the years — from those who were there from the beginning to those who joined along the way, and those who will discover this wonderful country in the future and will also want to get involved.
She also expressed her deep gratitude to the volunteers, without whom the organization could not move forward, and praised the incredible work of the professional team in Kathmandu, many of whom were once beneficiaries of the association as children.
Commemorative Gifts
As in every celebration, Amics del Nepal presented two commemorative gifts for the 30th anniversary: a mug and a cotton cloth.
What stands out most about these gifts is not their originality but their illustration, generously donated by Catalan artist Lourdes Garriga, symbolizing the values of Amics del Nepal: generosity, sharing, tradition, culture, resilience, and dreamlike landscapes…
And as could not be otherwise, the 30-year celebration ended with a tasting of Nepali delicacies: sel roti and milk tea.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
