Geneva, July 10 – The Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein held His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 69th birthday celebrations on Saturday, 10th July. In the morning at Rikon Monastery, the Abbot Ven. Tenzin Phuntsok led the prayers for His Holiness the Dalai Lama followed by Sangsol, hoisting prayer flags and offering of incense burning ceremony.
The day-long celebrations were held at Turbenthal near Zurich – openingwith the offering of scarfs to the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the traditional performance of auspicious dance, Tashi Sholpa by the Swiss Tibetan Community’s Dance and Music Association (Swiss Dhoeghar Tshogpa).
Over 2000 people attended the celebrations. There were many colourful presentations of Tibetan cultural dances and songs by associations representing the three Cholkas of Tibet, various organizations like the Tibetan Women’s Association, School Groups, Toepa, Ngari and Tsari Welfare Associations.
These performances were followed with presentation of several items by the Swiss Dhoeghar Tshogpa. Their presentations were also very well received, including an excerpt from the Tibetan Opera, Nangsa Woebhum.
It is the common view that there has been a marked interest, enthusiasm and over all improvement in the various performances, especially among the young school children. These have been made possible largely because of young Tibetans visiting Tibetan Institute for Performing Arts (TIPA) Dharamsala, for extended training and also the visit of senior artistes from Dharamsala to teach enthusiastic and talented members of the Tibetan community in Switzerland.
Among the speakers on this occasion were Ven. Tenzin Phuntsok, Abbot of Rikon Monastery, Mr. Sangling Tsering Dorjee, MP, Chitui from Europe, Mr. Chhime R. Chhoekyapa, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Mr.Jampa T. Samdho, President of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Sangling T. Dorjee also briefly introduced the Tibetan National Football Association in India and called for assistance to it.
Mr. Chhoekyapa also formally introduced Geshe Jampel Senge to the gathering as he has been recently appointed the Assistant Abbot at the Tibetan Institute, Rikon. Geshe la briefly explained his role.
The speakers highlighted the significance of the auspicious occasion, the unique leadership of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, his efforts towards finding a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of Tibet and contribution towards promoting peace, harmony and friendship in the world.
Special guests included, Mr. Mario Fehr, MP and President of the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet.
Two soccer tournaments (Senior and Junior) were held on this day with as many as eleven senior Tibetan teams and four junior teams (age 10-13) participating from across Switzerland. In the senior section, Tibet Tigers (St Gallen) were the winners with Potala Juniors (Flawil) as the runner up. In the junior section, Tibi Kickers, Rikon were the winners
The daylong celebrations concluded with Mr. Tsering Topden Nelung leading the circle dance, Gorshey, late into the night.
