09/12/2025
In our next stop, Priyanka takes us to Nepal with "Between Fire and Flowers," in the aftermath of the youth-led anti-corruption protests that escalated in September, eventually leading to a regime change. Fosca's beautiful illustrations capture some of the energy and transformation at the time.
"As a student living in Italy and doing my Master’s degree, watching the protests back home feels like holding both pride and heartbreak at the same time.
Pride, because our generation finally stood up, raised their voices, and refused to stay silent. We were never meant to shut our mouths. We were born in a democracy, and we have every right to protect it.
But with that pride comes a deep sadness.
Because in this movement, some families lost their sons, daughters, and loved ones.
That is the heaviest part to carry.
From far away, I feel proud of the courage in Nepal’s streets, but I also feel the pain of seeing my country break down piece by piece. It hurts to see how fragile everything has become, how much we are losing, and how far we still need to go.
Still, I believe in us. I believe in the youth who protested. I believe in the families who keep surviving. And I believe that even from abroad, we carry the responsibility to rebuild our nation slowly, honestly, and together.
This moment is both fire and flowers - courage and loss, hope and heartbreak."
You can find Priyanka's poem, as well as other pieces of art and journalism from around the world, all speaking to local development and local perspectives, on our page and our website.