Kalsang Rinchen
New York, June 1, 2008 – The Asian Grand Parade of New Jersey was held today at Bergenfield, Bergen County, State of New Jersey. Tibetans led by the Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of New York and New Jersey joined the parade to showcase Tibetan culture and the distinctness of Tibet as a nation. Jointly organized by Asian American Heritage Council of New Jersey and Filipino Heritage Foundation, the Grand Parade is the first of its kind in the state of New Jersey.
The Tibetan contingent in the parade comprised of mobile displays of Tibetan religion and culture including Buddhist monks blowing long trumpets (dhungchen), Tibetan children performing drum dance (dro) and various local Tibetan communities performing cultural dances as the announcers from RTYC, NY& NJ, read to the bystanders the explanation about Tibet’s geo-political status and performing traditions.
Flanked by applauding bystanders on both sides the Tibetan contingent comprising of over 300 Tibetans dressed in Chuba (Tibetan National dress) marched behind a truck mounted with a giant portrait of the Dalai Lama and a huge national flag of Tibet carried from each side by four Tibetans.
The Parade began from Clinton Avenue and ended at the National Guard Armory, Teaneck, New Jersey.
The Grand Parade was participated by Asian Americans in the tri-state area. Asian Americans from Tibet, China, India, Philippines, and Taiwan etc walked in their traditional costumes as crowds cheered and waved them. A food fair featuring Asian cuisines was also an attraction besides a day-long cultural show at the lawns of the National Guard Armory. Cholsum Tibetan cultural troupe of New York and New Jersey represented Tibet at the cultural show.
The parade was graced by the Honorable Jon S. Corzine, Governor of the State of New Jersey as the First Grand Parade Ambassador of goodwill and Honorary Grand Marshal. Also present on the occasion were New Jersey state politicians as well as Asian American elected and appointed officials from the state.
with inputs from RTYC, NY&NJ
