Wiesbaden: A special ceremony was held in the Metternich Saal of the Hotel Nassauer Hof to mark the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The event brought together dignitaries, friends, and longtime supporters to honour the life, message, and lasting legacy of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The celebration centred on the launch of a new book by journalist Stefan Schröder, highlighting the unique and decades-long friendship between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the German state of Hesse. The book pays special tribute to Roland Koch, former Minister-President of Hesse, who welcomed His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the region nearly 50 times and supported the Tibetan cause with great dedication.

Speakers at the event included Representative Thinley Chukki of the Tibet Bureau in Geneva; Kelsang Gyaltsen, former Special Envoy and Advisor to the CTA’s Permanent Strategy Committee; Roland Koch, Former Prime Minister of Hesse; Horst Klee, Senior Member of the Hessian State Parliament; Karl Starzacher, Former President of the Hessian State Parliament; Frank Auth, Chairman of Friends for a Friend e.V; and Joachim Zimmermann, Bodyguard at visits of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Hesse. Each reflected on their connection to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and emphasised the importance of preserving his values: peace, compassion, nonviolence, and cultural freedom.

Roland Koch was praised for his courage in standing with His Holiness the Dalai Lama during politically sensitive times, forming not only a diplomatic alliance but also a personal friendship. The speakers stressed the urgency of keeping the Tibetan issue alive as global focus continues to shift.

Representative Thinley Chukki stated, “This book is not only a tribute to the friendship between His Holiness and Hesse, but a reminder to the world to not forget the Tibetan struggle for dignity and cultural survival.”

The event ended with a call to action: to carry forward His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s teachings and to ensure that his message continues to inspire generations to come. As Wiesbaden honoured his 90th birthday, the celebration was also a promise—to keep the Tibetan cause alive in hearts and minds around the world.

-Report filed by Tibet Bureau, Geneva