A book of poems called “Bard’s Sketches”, written by two Tibetans in Nepal, was launched on Mount Everest. The unusual location of the book launch 
was a deliberate attempt on the part of the authors to show to the world that Tibetans and Sherpas were as good in literature as in mountaineering. With this, the book has become the first ever English Poetry book to be launched on the top of the world (Mt. Everest) in history.
The poets,Wangdi Gyalpo and Sonam Bhote, both cousins, said their intention was to “prove to the world that, Sherpas and Tibetans who are basically regarded as mountaineers and high altitude porters also possess calibre in literature”.
A mountaineer with Arun Tours and Treks Pvt. Ltd. in Kathmandu, Sonam scaled the Everest on May 15 and launched the book after reaching the top of mountain.
Both Sonam and Wangdi did their schooling from Central School for Tibetans in Darjeeling. Mr. Wangdi is the Head of English Department of Shuvatara International School in Lalitpur, Kathmandu. He had been one of the finalists in the International Open Poetry Competition, conducted by International Library of Poetry, Washington D.C. He was also nominated as the poet of the year and awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Poetry by the International Library of Poetry, Washington D.C.The New York-based Association of Young Journalist and Writer had selected him as the author of the month. His earlier writings can be accessed at poetry.com (Washington D.C.), poethunter.com (Paris), ayjw.com (New York), boloji.com (India), writeclique.net (British Council in Srilanka) and bbc.co.uk/dna/mbart.
Sonam had also written in the past and his poems can be found at at www.boloji.com, www.poemhunter.com, www.ayjw.org and timesoftibet.com. The authors hope to popularise the beauty and art of poetry among the Tibetans and Sherpas through the book.
