Geneva, 17 September 2025: Switzerland marked a historic occasion as the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was celebrated for the first time inside the Swiss Parliament in Bern.
Hosted by the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet and organised by the Tibet Bureau Geneva, with support from the Swiss Tibetan Friendship Association (GSTF), the gathering was not only a birthday celebration but also a profound expression of friendship, respect, and solidarity with His Holiness and the Tibetan people.
A Rare Gathering of Support
More than 50 Swiss parliamentarians across party lines joined the celebration, including Hon’ble MPs Fabian Molina, Nicolas Walder, Giorgio Fonio, Céline Weber, Léonore Porchet, Gabriela Suter, De Ventura, Linda, and Nick Gugger. Their participation demonstrated that support for Tibet enjoys a broad consensus within Swiss society, transcending political affiliations.
The Tibetan community was represented by leading figures such as Thinlay Chukki, Representative of His Holiness at the Tibet Bureau in Geneva; Geshe Tenzin Jangchup, Abbot of the Tibet Institute Rikon; Kelsang Gyaltsen, former Envoy of His Holiness; Choephel Balok, City Parliamentarian of St. Gallen; and Namgyal Gangshontsang, Mayor of Oetwil am See. They were joined by leaders of Tibetan civil society, including Ngedun Gyatso Drongpatsang, President of the Tibetan Community in Switzerland and Liechtenstein; Pema Yangtso, President of the Regional Tibetan Women’s Association; and Thomas Büchli, Vice President of GSTF.
Shared Values of Switzerland and Tibet
The program opened with welcome speeches by Hon. Fabian Molina and Hon. Nicolas Walder, Co-Presidents of the Swiss Parliamentary Group for Tibet. They highlighted Switzerland’s decades-long bond with the Tibetan people and reaffirmed the shared commitment to democracy, peace, human rights, and compassion.
Representative Thinlay Chukki spoke of the global celebrations of His Holiness’s 90th birthday as part of a “Year of Compassion.” She thanked Swiss parliamentarians for their consistent support and drew attention to the recent UN communication urging China to respect Tibetans’ religious freedom and refrain from interfering in the recognition of His Holiness’s reincarnation.
Kelsang Gyaltsen recalled Switzerland’s pioneering role in welcoming Tibetan refugees in the 1960s, praising the country for offering both a safe haven and opportunities to preserve Tibetan culture. He called on parliamentarians to sustain their commitment to the Tibetan cause in the years ahead.
Celebration with Symbolism
Following the addresses, a cake-cutting ceremony and a photo exhibition marked the joyful occasion. The exhibition showcased His Holiness’s life, teachings, and global influence, reminding attendees of his tireless efforts for peace, compassion, and human values.
In closing, Representative Thinlay presented traditional Tibetan khatags (ceremonial scarves) to parliamentarians and distributed books and pictorial biographies of His Holiness, symbolising gratitude and cultural exchange.
A Historic Message from Bern
The decision to celebrate His Holiness’s milestone birthday inside the Swiss Parliament carried deep symbolic weight. It conveyed Switzerland’s enduring respect for the Dalai Lama and its solidarity with the Tibetan people, reaffirming that values such as truth, nonviolence, and compassion continue to thrive within Swiss democracy.
The event will be remembered not only as a birthday celebration but as a moment of unity between the Swiss and Tibetan peoples, honouring the life and legacy of one of the world’s most revered spiritual leaders.
-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva
