By Topden Tsering
As part of the Bay Area Friends of Tibet-organized “Tibet Day” festival on November 14 in San Francisco, SF Tibetan Youth Congress co-presented a Tibetan film festival, screening such a varied mix as Kundun, Devotion and Defiance, Satya, Tibet:The Stolen Child and the Cup.
The festival showcased a host of Himalayan regions-inspired handicraft and artwork stalls, besides presenting cultural performances from the “Roof of Tibet” by local Tibetan children. Speakers included representatives from San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibetan Association of Northern California, Tibet Justice Center, Tibetan Nun’s Project and a Burmese Rights group.
The highlight of the festival was a panel discussion on Chinese Outreach efforts participated by Bhuchung Tsering of International Campaign for Tibet; Kasur Pema Chhinjor, former security minister of exile Tibetan government’s cabinet; Agya Rinpoche; Sherry Zheng from a Falun Gong group; Margery Farrer from Congressman Lantos’ office and Rev. Heng Sure from Berkeley Buddhist Monastery. The festival wrapped up with the film screening of Dreaming of Tibet, a new documentary on exile Tibetan freedom movement.
The festival and the film screenings mark the onset of a month-long local campaign as part of the international Tibetan freedom movement world’s drive for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche. The campaign will comprise of prayer gatherings, candle light vigils, skits, film showing, petition signature-collection and slogan-shouting in the heart of Downtown Berkeley and outside the Chinese embassy, alternately, every Saturday.
Over the recent weeks, Tibetan Youth Congress and Students for a Free Tibet have intensified their action campaigns for the release of Tenzin Delek Rinpoche, who was arrested and sentenced to execution in 2002.
The Bay Area Tenzin Delek Rinpoche Action Month is being spearheaded by San Francisco Tibetan Youth Congress and co-sponsored by Tibetan Association of Northern California, Bay Area Friends of Tibet, Tibet Justice Center and Tibetan Nuns Project.
