Paris: As part of the Year of Compassion celebration honouring His Holiness the Great 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birth year, an awareness campaign promoting His Holiness’ four principal commitments was held at the town hall of the 11e arrondissement de Paris (the 11th district of Paris) for ten days, from 1 to 10 September 2025.

Alongside the awareness campaign, a book exhibition promoting His Holiness’ key messages of compassion, love, and non-violence was voluntarily organised by Nubma Passang Norbu from Toulouse from 3 to 5 September. The exhibition displayed 226 books authored by His Holiness, including translations in French as well as in English.

The programme also featured the creation of a sand mandala by monks from the Gyuto Tantric Monastery over the course of ten days.

On the evening of 8 September, the Mayor of the 11e arrondissement de Paris, François Vauglin, officially attended the programme and expressed his admiration for His Holiness’ life and teachings.

Following that, Ven. Tenzin Penpa, representing the participating Gyuto monks, extended his gratitude to the Mayor and officials of the 11e arrondissement for providing facilities and supporting the awareness campaign. Echoing the same expression of gratitude, Coordinator Thupten Tsering apprised the gathering of objective behind this initiative.

Prominent guests who also attended and addressed the gathering included Patrick Bloche, First Deputy Mayor of Paris and former Mayor of the 11e arrondissement; François Béchieau, Deputy Mayor of the 9e arrondissement de Paris; Venerable Superior Thich Quang Dao of Khánh Anh Pagoda; and Celine Menguy, President of the Lhakar (White Wednesday) organising committee of France.

The turnout also included the President and executive members of the Tibetan Association, representatives from regional Tibetan civil society groups, and a large number of friends and supporters of Tibet.

-Report filed by Bureau du Tibet, Paris