Tibet Foundation is hosting a 21-day UK Cultural Tour by a group of eleven Tibetan refugee children, with two teachers from the Tibetan Homes Foundation (THF) from 24 January – 13 February 2005.
This is an historic first. The school children will tour across UK, visiting British schools and other educational and cultural establishments. They will perform traditional Tibetan songs, dance and music in schools and interact with the local children. They will also perform in public venues such as the art centres and theatres.
The tour is a part of Tibet Foundation’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations, aimed at increasing greater awareness of Tibetan culture in the West.
This tour will highlight the importance of education for exiled Tibetan refugee children. This provides a unique opportunity for the refugee children to gain insight into British education, culture and social values.
The children will tour Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Glasgow, Llangollen (North Wales), Liverpool, Manchester, Bridgewater, Devon, London and East Sussex.
These young people, aged 13 – 15, have never seen their homeland. However, their leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama often calls them “the future seeds of Tibet.” The Tibetan Homes Foundation, founded by the late Mrs. Rinchen Dolma Taring, is one of the best known educational establishments in the exiled Tibetan Refugee Community and is home to 2398 refugee children. THF is dedicated to the care of orphans and destitute Tibetan refugee children. At present, 2145 children are studying at THF and 253 students are in colleges and universities across India. Many graduates from this school serve the Tibetan Community as teachers, journalists, doctors and officials.
The children present their final performance in London on 11 February 2005 at the Conway Hall in the presence of Tibet Foundation’s supporters, friends and admirers of Tibetan people.
Further information available: Mr. Tsering Passang on 020 7930 6001 e-mail tp@tibet-foundation.org
