DHARAMSHALA: Artistes from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) based in the hill town of Dharamshala embarked on a cultural performance tour of South Korea on 15 December. The troupe accompanied by Director Mr Pesur Wangdu reached Yeosu city via Seoul on 17 December.

The troupe held its first performance of cultural dance and songs on 19 December at the consecration ceremony of a Buddhist temple in the city. The consecration was conducted by Ven. Thubten Ngodup, official medium of Nechung oracle, one of the two state oracles of the Central Tibetan administration.

The next performance of the Tibetan dance troupe was held at the Yeosu International hall in the presence of Mr. Chul Hyeon Ju, the chief minister of the province and Ven Jenok Sunim, head of the Korean Buddhist Association. Other spectators at the performance include thousands of Korean music aficionados as well as local and state dignitaries.

Before the performance, Mr. Pesur Wangdu, Director of TIPA, addressed the gathering on the Tibet issue particularly Tibetans culture and the role played by TIPA to preserve the rich traditions of Tibetan music and dance.

Following the performance, the dignitaries expressed their heartfelt appreciation at the rich display of Tibetan culture and reaffirmed the importance of preserving one’s unique culture and tradition.

TIPA also presented a memento made from traditional Tibetan methods to Mr. Chul Hyeon Ju, the minister of the province.

TIPA artistes returned to Dharamshala on 24 December.

This was the first visit by a Tibetan cultural dance troupe to South Korea, thus marking the first ever cultural interaction between the two ancient countries.