Nepal to mark Int'l Everest (Qomolangma) Day on May 29

KATHMANDU, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry for Culture, Tourismand Civil Aviation has decided to observe May 29 as the International Mt. Everest (Qomolangma) Day to commemorate the first ascension of the peak on the day in 1953.

This is the first time the day is going to be celebrated as an international event.

According to Saturday's The Himalayan Times, the decision was taken in a meeting attended by the officials of the ministry, Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA)on Friday.

"The day would be celebrated in memory of the first conquerors of the peak, Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgy," said Ang Chherign Sherpa, the chairman of NMA.

According to the daily, the day would be observed with screening of film related to mountains, photo exhibition and other cultural shows, Sherpa said, adding that dozens of internationally noted mountaineers will arrive in capital Kathmandu to celebrate the day.

Over 30 teams were already at the Qomolangma base camp to climb the world's highest mountain this season.