London: Sikyong Penpa Tsering, accompanied by Representative Tsering Yangkyi, attended the annual festival of London School of Tibetan Language and Culture and addressed the gathering on 22 June 2025.

Sikyong conveyed essential topics and narratives about Tibet to the students, beginning with the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, which led to the formation of the Tibetan Plateau—today known as the “Roof of the World.” He further enlightened the students on the history of the Tibetan script’s development during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, which enabled the translation of Buddhist scriptures and other texts into Tibetan. This development significantly shaped Tibetan culture and literature. To this day, the Tibetan language and script remain an inalienable part of the practice of spiritual adherents of the ancient Nalanda tradition.

Sikyong commended the teachers of the London School of Tibetan Language and Culture for their devoted service since the school’s founding, noting their sacrifices of weekends to educate Tibetan children in their mother tongue and deeply rooted culture. He emphasised that the Tibetan language is among the 15 ancient languages with a writing script.

The students were then informed about Tibet’s status as an independent country prior to the People’s Liberation Army’s occupation in 1959, with particular reference to British-Tibetan relations. These date back to the first visit of English explorer George Bogle to Tibet in 1774, followed by the Younghusband expedition in 1904 aimed at countering Russian influence during the era of the Great Game and resolving the border dispute between Tibet and Sikkim. Sikyong also discussed the 1914 Shimla Agreement between Tibet, China, and British India, which China did not sign. This agreement resulted in the demarcation of the McMahon Line, the border between British India and Tibet. In summary, he reminded students of the critical importance of equipping themselves with rich knowledge of Tibetan history and culture to keep the Tibetan struggle alive in a rapidly changing world.

Currently, around 40 students are enrolled at the London Tibetan Language School. Sikyong encouraged Tibetan parents in the London area to increase student participation in the future, emphasising that studying the Tibetan language and culture is paramount for the survival of Tibetan identity.

Apart from that, Sikyong also gave a live interview on BBC Radio London that morning and made appearance on Drukthar’s podcast.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, London