Seattle Tibet Fest in Memory of Kyegudo Quake Victims, Say Organisers [Thursday, 5 August 2010, 12:30 p.m.]

Dharamshala: The forthcoming 15th annual Tibet Festival at Seattle Center from 28 – 29 August will be dedicated to the victims of earthquake in Tibet’s Kyegudo region, according to Tibetan Association of Washington which is organising the event.The two-day cultural fest (scheduled 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., in Center House and Fisher Pavilion) will feature Tibetan traditional and modern songs and dances, traditional arts, handicrafts and foods, sand mandala demonstration by Namgyal Monastery monks, children’s activities and expert speakers on Tibet.The event offers “Narrative Glimpses of Tibet” exploring the Central Tibetan Administration and the rights and responsibilities of women in Tibet, and workshops on community circle dances.Top singers like Phurbu T Namgyal, Tibetan pop star based in MN, Tenzin Ngawang, member of Melong Band based in MN, Minnesota’s Tibetan Traditional Dance Troupe, Karma Lama of Culture Brothers based in Alaska and Amalia Rubin will perform at the event.”Through festival such as Tibet Fest, we are able to help young Tibetans establish stronger cultural traditions within their new communities.  In addition to dialects, they are able to form traditional dance troupes, play traditional music, sing Tibetan songs and recite Tibetan folk tales,” Jampa T Jorkhang, president of Tibetan Association of Washington, said in a message.”The essence of our culture values harmony and openness to other cultures.  Therefore, through Tibet Fest, we strive to achieve and create better understanding and appreciation of unique Tibetan culture for our American friends,” Jorkhang added.The event is part of Seattle Center Festál, a series of 22 world festivals presented at Seattle Center on weekends throughout 2010, which highlights the distinct cultures and common threads of ethnic communities in Seattle through traditional and contemporary art, music, foods, youth activities, workshops and more.