Megan Junkermeier
Multi-colored streamers led up the stairs to the Atwood Ballroom where Tibet Night was hosted from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Above the stage, hanging in the background was a large painting that read “My Land and My People.”
It was decorated with colorful paintings and pictures. A few other displays around the room enhanced the artistic view of Tibet.
Tibet Night commenced with the national anthem and speeches by the SFT president and the SFT adviser, Dan Wildeson.
Tseten DeKhang presented information on Tibetan location, culture, lifestyles, religion and apparel. He said hopefully after Tibet Night people can go home and know they have learned more about Tibet.
One speaker said she did not know very much about Tibet until she got involved with the organization.
There were many volunteers working at the Tibet Night, overseeing the evening.
The women who volunteered were dressed in Tibetan clothing, dresses of beautiful colors similar to the dresses of the performers.
Some volunteered because they were friends with some of the SFT members and to learn about international cultures.
Christina Amatya, a Nepali student at SCSU, was one of the volunteers at Tibet Night.
“I have friends who I know in this so I volunteer. I will get a chance to learn about other cultures,” she said.
Some students from Tibet connect with students from Nepal because of the unrest in both countries.
“I am from Nepal so I have friends that are from Tibet and some were refugees from Tibet. They knew our culture well and can speak our language,” Amatya said.
Others volunteer because of the benefits they can receive as International students. “All International students volunteer. [Students] can get scholarships if they volunteer for International group or event,” Amatya said. Some of the benefits include in-state tuition fees instead of having to pay an increased amount to attend SCSU.
Tibet Night included dances such as the Lhasa dance, Potala Tibetian dance, Lharing dance and a special dance by Anjita Thapa. Each dance included members of the organization dancing with dresses of vivid colors and music to accompany the dances.
The music portion of the evening included performers that were singing and playing the guitar. The Tibetian song, “Ama,” was performed by three members and many attendees accompanied the performers. The Nepali song, performed by two members of the organization, influenced a number of people in the audience to clap and sing along to the familiar tune.
Toward the end of the evening, a fashion show assisted the students in describing the cultural aspects of the way that Tibetan people dress.
Dinner was included at the end of the performances and it included a meal of common Tibetan foods. Some food served was chicken curry, potato curry, vegetable curry, rice, spicy tomato chili, Tibetan sweet rice and khabsay. Tibetan tea was also offered for people who attended.
For more information on the organization Students for free Tibet and their upcoming events, visit http://www.stcloudstate.edu/internationalstudents/studentassociations.asp. For information on other student clubs or organizations and their events, visit http://www.stcloudstate.edu/studentlife/getinvolved/organizations.asp .
