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Celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th Birthday in London, UK
[Thursday, 8th July 2010, 2:40 p.m.]
London, 6th July: The Office of Tibet, London, hosted the reception to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday, 6 July 2010.
Around 70 invited guests including Parliamentarians, representatives of Tibet Support Groups, Buddhist groups, charitable organisations, journalists, diplomats, members of the Tibetan community, and other friends and supporters of Tibet gathered at the Kailash Centre in London for a reception in celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th Birthday hosted by the Office of Tibet
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Representative Thubten Samdup with Lord David Steel and Fabian Hamilton MP,
Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet in celebration of
His Holiness the Dalai Lama's birthday on 3rd July 2010.
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The reception started with prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama followed by performances of two Tibetan songs by the musicians and singers from the Tibetan Community in Britain.
Mr Thubten Samdup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the Office of Tibet, London, said: "We were delighted to have celebrated the 75th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with some of our UK-based friends, and with the representatives of other organisations with whom the Office of Tibet and the Tibet House Trust work closely. The warmth of the response from those present at the gathering, and the many messages of support and well wishes from those who were unable to attend was a clear indication of the enduring appeal of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's message and the respect that they have for him."
Over 2,000 people joined in and celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th birthday at the inaugural Tibet Festival in the Park on Saturday 3 July 2010.
With immense excitement, the organisers (The Tibetan Commemorative Committee) headed to the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in London, to commence the set-up for this inaugural Tibet Festival in the Park. The morning heralded clear and sunny skies as the stage was built, Tibetan tents were camped, prayer flags strung up, stalls assembled for the Lhasa Bazaar, transforming the park into a Tibetan festival.
The event commenced to the deep growling of long Tibetan horns signalling the start of a traditional procession with monks from the Tashi Lhunpo monastery carrying a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, accompanied by Thubten Samdup la, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama; Sonam Frasi la, one of the two Members of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from Europe; and Pempa Lobsang la, the Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain. Once on stage His Holiness the Dalai Lama's portrait was placed on a special alter, butter lamps lit and prayers for His Holiness' long life were chanted. Tibetans present then laid khatags (traditional Tibetan honorific scarves) at the alter .
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Procession with portrait of His Holiness the Dalai Lama led by Tashi Lhunpo monks
with Representative Thubten Samdup, Mr Sonam Frasi, Member of Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile and
Mr Penpa Tsering, Chair of Tibetan Community in Britain. 3rd July 2010.
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Following this, Representative Thubten Samdup la addressed the gathered audience. He started his five minute address by saying: Today we are celebrating the 75th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso and I am honoured that you have taken the time to join our celebration. As you all know, the Dalai Lama occupies a central place in the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people. Not only has he come to represent our struggle for basic freedoms and human rights, but even more significantly, he has held us together as a people throughout one of the most difficult periods in our history. Along the way, he has lived as he preached; exemplifying the principles of altruism and compassion for others. I don't think that I exaggerate in saying that his example has been an inspiration to many around the world - old and young, women and men, strong and weak.
Representative Thubten Samdup la concluded his speech with the following words: We Tibetans could not have asked for a better leader to guide us through this dark period in our history. This is why it means so much to me and to the people I represent, that you have joined us today to celebrate the Dalai Lama's birthday and to honour his many important contributions to our world.
In closing, I wish to express - as His Holiness would if he was with us today - my deep gratitude to the Government and people of India who have given Tibetan refugees a safe-haven for more than 50 years. Our histories have been interwoven for centuries and it is my hope that whatever the future may hold, India and Tibet will remain special friends for many more centuries to come.
Again, I would like to thank everyone for joining us today and for allowing me this opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Representative's speech was followed on stage by a programme of amazing performances and acts. First was a fantastic Tibetan costume parade with colourful dresses and outfits from different parts of Tibet modelled by members of the Tibetan community. Lhodup Gyaltso, a Tibetan singer born in the Amdo region of Tibet and now based in London, captivated the audience with two traditional songs.
Michael Ormiston and Candida Valentino gave an incredible display of Mongolian khöömii (overtone) singing and they also coaxed Tibetan singing bowls into haunting and floating voices that had the audience mesmerised. Erle Taylor, a highly regarded Burmese dancer, performed a Makuta dance that gets its name from a golden bejewelled crest or crown. Dressed in a resplendent costume of yellow satin bedecked with jewels, the whole symbolising a Buddhist Temple, Erle gave a wonderful display of measured, graceful and courtly movement.
The Tibetan Dance group, which was formed in 1995 as the cultural wing of the Tibetan Community in Britain, gave hugely entertaining performances with vibrant and enthusiastic displays of Tibetan song and dance .
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Tibetan community dance group in London performing cultural song in celebration of
His Holiness' birthday, 3rd July 2010.
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The long horns of Tibet were then heard again when the Tashi Lhunpo monks took to the stage and the lawn area in front to give a marvellous display of chanting and cham performances.The main programme concluded with the singing of the Tibetan National Anthem by the Dance Group of Tibetan Community in Britain on the stage accompanied by Tibetans in the audience. This was followed by a performance of Tibetan dance in round formation (gor-shey) on the lawn in front of the stage in which Tibetans and friends alike participated.
Throughout the afternoon there were also further guest speakers including Sonam Frasi la,member of the Tibetan Parliament, Fredrick Hyde-Chambers, chairman of Tibet Society, Pempa Lobsang, chairman of the Tibetan Community and Simon Hughes, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats and member of Parliament for Southwark, the local borough.
In his address, Simon Hughes MP urged everyone present to re-commit themselves to Tibet, making the very strong and simple points that everyone, no matter where they are in the world has the right to follow their chosen religion unhindered and the right to self-determination. He also commented the Dalai Lama on his peaceful path to find justice and pledged the government will actively work towards finding a solution to Tibet within the Dalai Lama's lifetime
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Simon Hughes, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party and MP for Southwark addressing
the audience at the celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th birthday, 3rd July 2010.
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Birthday messages from the singer Annie Lennox, well-known British actress Joanna Lumley, Fabian Hamilton MP (Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet), Norman Baker MP (President of Tibet Society) and Mark Durkan (MP for Derry, Northern Ireland) were read out, all emphasising their admiration, respect and commitment to the Dalai Lama, with Mark Durkan succinctly saying, "Today we celebrate your wisdom, warmth and inspiration. We still look forward to celebrating justice, freedom and peace for the people of Tibet."
Away from the stage, there was also a lot happening. Crowded and popular workshops took place, including learning about sand mandalas with the Tashi Lhunpo monks, Mongolian throat chanting with Michael Ormiston and the kids' workshop, which was so popular it was extended for the whole afternoon.
The Lhasa Bazaar thronged with people buying yak wool jerseys, prayer flags, books, cup cakes and taking time out in the healing zone or having sparkly face painting. The Tibetan medicine exhibition gave a fascinating glimpse into the history of Tibetan herbal remedies; the wonderful wool nomad tent had plenty of visitors sampling the traditional Tibetan tea being served, whilst the art exhibition by Ugyen Choephell gave visitors a contrast between the intricacies of Tibetan Thangka paintings and modern day Tibetan art. There were the Tibetan momos! Always popular, there seemed to be a queue all afternoon, but the patience of all who waited for the steamers to cope with the demand was rewarded.
Nearly 400 people wrote birthday messages to the Dalai Lama or requests regarding Tibet to Prime Minister David Cameron on special windhorses (paper prayer flags) that fluttered in the sun making a colourful and moving display. All the messages resonated the underlying warmth of feeling the Dalai Lama engenders in millions of people around the world.
One child wrote, "I am a big fan, you are so cool", another from a visitor from Australia said, "my brother says you are a great human being", whilst another simple note said, "keep on keeping on!". Many wrote wishes of long life and His Holiness' return to Tibet soon, with one urging, "please eat healthily and organic and look after yourself as you are invaluable to us." The one that perhaps encapsulates most messages says, "Many happy returns, may you live long and continue to shine your light and wisdom upon us and help us keep the right frequency on earth." All these messages will be sent to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Prime Minister David Cameron.
The Tibet Festival in the Park not only was a wonderfully sunny and happy day, with everyone enjoying the amazing performances, workshops and simply relaxing in the sun, but was also a really great way to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th birthday.
The Office of Tibet, London, Tibetan Community in Britain, and Tibet Society of the UK were involved in the Tibetan Commemorative Committee.
--Report filed by Office of Tibet, London
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