Celebrating Alexandra David-Neel and the unsung women of the Himalayas

A landmark cultural initiative celebrating the legacy of explorer Alexandra David-Neel has been unveiled in Sikkim, bringing renewed attention to the contributions of women across the Himalayan region.

Organised by the Embassy of France in India and the French Institute in India, in collaboration with the Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, Gangtok, the programme featured an exhibition titled 'Alexandra David-Neel in Sikkim: A Journey into Buddhism (1912–1916)' alongside an international symposium, 'In Her Footsteps: Great Women in the Himalayas.' Curated by anthropologist Dr Anna Balikci, the project invited audiences to revisit the life and work of the Franco-Belgian explorer while situating her journey within a broader narrative of women who shaped the Himalayas as thinkers, spiritual practitioners and cultural transmitters.

Through archival material, visual storytelling and historical research sourced from the Maison Alexandra David-Neel museum, the exhibition traced her transformative years in Sikkim and her engagement with Buddhist philosophy. The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including H E Mr Om Prakash Mathur, Governor of Sikkim, along with ambassadors from France, Belgium and Switzerland, reflecting the international collaboration behind the initiative.

The accompanying symposium brought together scholars from Europe and South Asia to examine the enduring impact of Himalayan women across cultural and social spheres. During his address, Ambassador Thierry Mathou highlighted, “Alexandra David-Neel’s influence on young women in France has been significant. Her legacy could be understood in several ways: as a symbol of intellectual independence, a model for female explorers, and an early bridge between Europe and Asian spiritual traditions. (…) Her years in Sikkim created enduring intellectual and cultural ties between our two regions stretching back to over a century, and through her writings she brought the spiritual and cultural richness of the Himalayas to Europe.

This initiative honoured not only Alexandra David-Neel, but all the women whose contributions continue to inspire us.”