69th Birthday of His Holiness Celebrated in Paris
Paris, 5 July: Tibetans and Tibet supporters in Paris celebrated the 69th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama yesterday at the Pogoda, Bois de Vincenne, the vast city garden which is the usual venue of big Tibetan events. Organised jointly by the Tibetan community and the Bureau du Tibet, Paris around 500 people participated in the day-long event.
The day began with the welcoming of the portrait of His Holiness from the adjacent Kagyu monastery, Kagyu Dzong, to the stage set on the front ground of the old Pagoda, accompanied by monastic chants led by Lama Gyurme, the Director of Monastery. Mr. Thupten Gyatso, the President of the Tibetan Community and Mr. Ngawang Dakpo carried the portrait and followed Dagpo Rinpoche and Mr. Tashi Phuntsok, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who were walking with incense.
After the portrait of His Holiness was placed on the throne, Mr. Rinchen Phuntsok, administrative Secretary of the Bureau du Tibet, read out the day’s programme for the public already gathered in front of the stage. Whilst the long life prayer for His Holiness was being recited, led by Dakpo Rinpoche and the Representative the Tibetans and their friends offered scarves to the portrait of His Holiness. The President of Tibetan community gave a brief introductory speech on the life of His Holiness, both in Tibetan and French.
Earlier, on July 2, the Bureau du Tibet, Paris, organised a formal reception at Maison de Recherche, at Paris 6, to celebrate the birthday of His Holiness. It was attended by around 55 select invitees, including members of diplomatic corp, French officials, Tibet supporters, Tibetan community board members and members of Tibetan business guild.
Report courtesy: OoT, Paris