His Holiness the Dalai Lama receives the Jan Langos Award and speaks on CompassionFriday, 11September 2009, 10:45 a.m.

Bratislava Mayor Andrej Durkovsk’s mayor (R) presenting His Holiness the Dalai Lama gift a silver engraving stamp

Bratislava, Slovakia: His
Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday (9 September) received
International Jan Langos Award. In his acceptance address, His Holiness
thanked the Jan Langos Foundation for presenting the award to him.”It
was a great honour to receive the award of Jan Langos, also a freedom
fighter who followed non-violence”, said His Holiness. “This award
means a lot to me.” His Holiness said he considers the award “new
encouragement” for his efforts to find a “mutually agreeable solution”
for China and Tibet. His Holiness also spoke our promotion of human
value and religious harmony.As His Holiness the Dalai Lama was
presented the award, the audience applauded continuously and gave a
standing ovation. The award is in memory of the prominent former Slovak
dissident Mr. Jan Langos who challenged communism and totalitarian
regime in the former Czechoslovakia. The Jan Langos Foundation
said, “the International Jan Langos Award is bestowed on His Holiness
the 14th Dalai Lama in recognition of his lifelong resistance against
oppressive regime in China. Furthermore, the Foundation wants to
recognise his consistent and non-violent struggle for human rights and
promoting the principles of love, tolerance and compassion worldwide.”Earlier
in the morning, the Lord Mayor Andrej Durkovsk received His Holiness in
front of the City Hall. The Mayor said, “your visit here in Bratislava
is very important and special not only to me but to the people of
Bratislava.”Then His Holiness the Dalai Lama opened an
exhibition on Tibet in the city centre. This exhibition will be open
for six months. While addressing the members of the press, His Holiness
said that media had a very important role to play in promoting human
value and religious harmony.After lunch, the Vice-Chairman of
the Slovakian Parliament and leaders of the four Opposition Parties
called on His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the hotel. One of the
Opposition Party leaders said they would soon setup a Tibet Group
within the Slovakian Parliament. His Holiness thanked them for their
support.In the afternoon, His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave a
public talk on Compassion. Over 4000 people filled the Pasienky sports
indoor stadium in Bratislava.In all the four public engagements
today and when His Holiness returned to the hotel from the public talk,
large number of people turned out to greeting His Holiness the Dalai
Lama. As a sign of appreciation and solidarity they clapped their hands.Tomorrow,
His Holiness the Dalai Lama will travel to Prague, the capital city of
Czech Republic. His Holiness will address an international conference
on Peace, Democracy and Human Rights in Asia on 11 September.More pictures:

His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking at the Lan Langos award ceremony.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama viewing the photos at the Tibet Exhibition.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the Bratislava Mayor Andrej Durkovsk.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama with the Vice-Chairman of Slovakian Parliament and chairmen of the four opposition party of Slovakia.

(Source: The Tibet Bureau, Geneva)