Paris, February 14 – Losar 2132, the Wood-Bird year was celebrated in Paris, France, yesterday with much fraternity and gaity. Nearly 1700 Tibetans from France and some from neighbouring countres gathered at Rigpa Centre Hall in the morning. Organised by the Tibetan Community in France and the Bureau du Tibet, Paris, the celebrations began with chanting of Gyalwe-Shabten and offering of scarves on the portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama wished all Tibetans a happy and harmonious new year. He expressed happiness that during his tenure it was the fourth Losar being celebrated together and that the Tibetan coumminuty and the Board extended warm cooperations to the Bureau and that the coumunity itself enjoyed harmonious and constructive period. He wished that the Tibetan struggle would bear the earlest result and the His Holiness would live long. In this he reminded the public to recite the root-mantra of White Tara.
Mr. Thupten Gyatso, President of Tibetan Community in France, followed by wishing the the public Losar and long-life to His Holiness. He informed about the amity and respect that the community bore for the Bureau du Tibet. He took the opportunity to remind the programme on the March 10 anniversary to be observed in Paris. He also reieterated the importance of reciting the root-mantra of White Tara.
Having thus finished the short ceremony, the cultural aspect commenced. As requested by the Tibetan community, Mr.Tenzin Gonpo, a veteran TIPA artist and long-time resident of Paris treated the public to an hour-long solo performance to the immense applause of the public. Starting with Drelkar, and playing every Tibetan musical instrument, he sang traditional songs from every part of Tibet and eventually concluding on guitar with romantic contemporary Lhasan songs.
After the lunch which was, as usual, prepared by the Community, the individual cultural presentations began. Conducted ably by Mr. Tenzin this aspect was equally joyous and of high quality. Mr. Lobsang sang in his perfect voice. Mr.
Norbu from Belgium sang four songs which was immensly appreciated. Mr. Tenzin Jigme from Spain also chipped in his contributions. Who could miss Mrs Kunchok Chodron’s items. A well-known Parisiene entertainer, now living in South France, she let loose her Hindi teasers, a French or a Nepali song here, and an english blue there and of course the Tibetan Chang-she and Nangma. Repeated encores had her perform three times and everyone enjoyed as much. Many others too performed and sang songs which went till 6pm when the day concluded with a few gorsheys and the Tibetan national anthem.
Last but not the least, Thupten la and Tenzin la made sure that everyone heard about the nite (beginning at 23 hrs!), organised by the Community, for those who are groovy and wants to rock-n-roll or hip-hop or just enjoy the night.
