Geneva: The Tibetan Association in Geneva observed the 91st birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with a commemorative gathering that also included a memorial service for Tibetan martyr Lobga Rangzen. The event was attended by Representative Thinlay Chukki of the Tibet Bureau in Geneva and its staff, the President and Vice President of the Geneva Tibetan Association, monks from Dharma centres of Gyudmed Tantric Monastery and Salève, and members of the local Tibetan community. Representative Thinlay Chukki delivered a keynote address highlighting moral responsibility and community engagement.

The programme, held on the morning of 4 July, began with a ceremonial procession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait to the throne, followed by the singing of the Tibetan national anthem. Participants then paid tribute to the Tibetan martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Tibetan cause. Addressing the gathering, the President of the Geneva Tibetan Association explained that although the event had been organised to celebrate His Holiness’s 91st birthday, the recent self-immolation of Tibetan martyr Lobga Rangzen on 2 July had prompted changes to the programme. He announced that the celebration would begin with a memorial service and prayers for Lobga Rangzen, followed by the ceremonial cake cutting. Student performances were limited to a few songs, while the remaining cultural programmes were cancelled as a mark of respect.

Following the memorial prayers, Representative Thinlay Chukki addressed the gathering, reflecting on the significance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday and paying tribute to Lobga Rangzen’s courage, commitment, and his final message. She praised the Geneva Tibetan Association for transforming the birthday celebration into a solemn occasion of prayer and remembrance, acknowledging the difficulty of revising the planned festivities in order to honour Lobga Rangzen’s sacrifice for the Tibetan cause. She also encouraged community members to openly share constructive feedback with the Tibet Bureau, noting that such engagement would strengthen its work and development.

She further emphasised that every Tibetan in the region has a personal responsibility to contribute to the Tibetan cause and should not depend solely on the Tibet Bureau or local Tibetan associations. Even those unable to organise activities themselves, she said, should actively support the efforts of others. She concluded by expressing confidence that meaningful progress could be achieved if every Tibetan accepted this shared responsibility.

The ceremony concluded with Representative Thinlay Chukki presenting tokens of appreciation to the teachers of the Geneva Weekend Tibetan School.

-Report filed by Office of Tibet, Geneva