Celebrations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th Birthday in London, UK
London, 6th July: The Office of Tibet, London, hosted the reception to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday, 6 July 2010
Around 70 invited guests including Parliamentarians, representatives of
TSGs, Buddhist groups, charitable organisations, journalists,
diplomats, members of the Tibetan community, and other friends and
supporters of Tibet gathered at the Kailash Centre in London for a
reception incelebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th Birthday
hosted by the Office of Tibet
Representative Thubten Samdup with Lord David Steel and Fabian Hamilton MP, Chair of All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet in celebration of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday on 6th July 2010. |
The reception started with prayers for the long life of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama followed by performances of two Tibetan songs by the
musicians and singers from the Tibetan Community in Britain.
Mr Thubten Samdup, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the
Office of Tibet, London, said: “We were delighted to have celebrated
the 75th Birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama with some of our
UK-based friends, and with the representatives of other organisations
with whom the Office of Tibet and the Tibet House Trust work closely.
The warmth of the response from those present at the gathering, and the
many messages of support and well wishes from those who were unable to
attend was a clear indication of the enduring appeal of His Holiness
the Dalai Lama’s message and the respect that they have for him.”
Over 2,000 people joined in and celebrated His Holiness the Dalai
Lama’s 75th birthday at the inaugural Tibet Festival in the Park on
Saturday 3 July 2010.
With immense excitement, the organisers (The Tibetan Commemorative
Committee) headed to the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in London, to
commence the set-up for this inaugural Tibet Festival in the Park. The
morning heralded clear and sunny skies as the stage was built, Tibetan
tents were camped, prayer flags strung up, stalls assembled for the
Lhasa Bazaar, transforming the park into a Tibetan festival.
The event commenced to the deep growling of long Tibetan horns
signalling the start of a traditional procession with monks from the
Tashi Lhunpo monastery carrying a portrait of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama, accompanied by Thubten Samdup la, the Representative of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama; Sonam Frasi la, one of the two Members of
Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from Europe; and Pempa Lobsang la, the
Chairman of the Tibetan Community in Britain. Once on stage His
Holiness the Dalai Lama’s portrait was placed on a special alter,
butter lamps lit and prayers for His Holiness’ long life were chanted.
Tibetans present then laid khatags (traditional Tibetan
honorific scarves) at the alter .
Following this, Representative Thubten Samdup la addressed the gathered
audience. He started his five minute address by saying: Today we are
celebrating the 75th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of
Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso and I am honoured that you have taken the time to
join our celebration. As you all know, the Dalai Lama occupies a
central place in the hearts and minds of the Tibetan people. Not only
has he come to represent our struggle for basic freedoms and human
rights, but even more significantly, he has held us together as a
people throughout one of the most difficult periods in our history.
Along the way, he has lived as he preached; exemplifying the principles
of altruism and compassion for others. I don’t think that I exaggerate
in saying that his example has been an inspiration to many around the
world – old and young, women and men, strong and weak.
Representative Thubten Samdup la concluded his speech with the
following words: We Tibetans could not have asked for a better leader
to guide us through this dark period in our history. This is why it
means so much to me and to the people I represent, that you have joined
us today to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s birthday and to honour his many
important contributions to our world.
In closing, I wish to express – as His Holiness would if he was with us
today – my deep gratitude to the Government and people of India who
have given Tibetan refugees a safe-haven for more than 50 years. Our
histories have been interwoven for centuries and it is my hope that
whatever the future may hold, India and Tibet will remain special
friends for many more centuries to come.
Again, I would like to thank everyone for joining us today and for
allowing me this opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments of His
Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The Representative’s speech was followed on stage by a programme of
amazing performances and acts. First was a fantastic Tibetan costume
parade with colourful dresses and outfits from different
parts of Tibet modelled by members of the Tibetan community. Lhodup
Gyaltso, a Tibetan singer born in the Amdo region of Tibet and now
based in London, captivated the audience with two traditional songs.
Michael Ormiston and Candida Valentino gave an incredible display of
Mongolian khöömii (overtone) singing and they also coaxed Tibetan
singing bowls into haunting and floating voices that had the audience
mesmerised. Erle Taylor, a highly regarded Burmese dancer, performed a
Makuta dance that gets its name from a golden bejewelled crest or
crown. Dressed in a resplendent costume of yellow satin bedecked with
jewels, the whole symbolising a Buddhist Temple, Erle gave a wonderful
display of measured, graceful and courtly movement.
The Tibetan Dance group, which was formed in 1995 as the cultural wing
of the Tibetan Community in Britain, gave hugely entertaining
performances with vibrant and enthusiastic displays of Tibetan song and
dance .
(see Photo 3)
The long horns of Tibet were then heard again when the Tashi Lhunpo
monks took to the stage and the lawn area in front to give a marvellous
display of chanting and cham performances.
The main programme concluded with the singing of the Tibetan National
Anthem by the Dance Group of Tibetan Community in Britain on the stage
accompanied by Tibetans in the audience. This was followed by a
performance of Tibetan dance in round formation (gor-shey) on the lawn
in front of the stage in which Tibetans and friends alike participated.
Throughout the afternoon there were also further guest speakers
including Sonam Frasi la,member of the Tibetan Parliament, Fredrick
Hyde-Chambers, chairman of Tibet Society, Pempa Lobsang,
chairman of the Tibetan Community and Simon Hughes, deputy leader of
the Liberal Democrats and member of Parliament for Southwark, the local
borough.
In his address, Simon Hughes MP urged everyone present to re-commit
themselves to Tibet, making the very strong and simple points that
everyone, no matter where they are in the world has the right to follow
their chosen religion unhindered and the right to self-determination.
He also commented the Dalai Lama on his peaceful path to find justice
and pledged the government will actively work towards finding a
solution to Tibet within the Dalai Lama’s lifetime
(see Photo 4).
Birthday messages from the singer Annie Lennox, well-known British
actress Joanna Lumley, Fabian Hamilton MP (Chairman of the All Party
Parliamentary Group for Tibet), Norman Baker MP (President of Tibet
Society) and Mark Durkan (MP for Derry, Northern Ireland) were read
out, all emphasising their admiration, respect and commitment to the
Dalai Lama, with Mark Durkan succinctly saying, “Today we celebrate
your wisdom, warmth and inspiration. We still look forward to
celebrating justice, freedom and peace for the people of Tibet.”
Away from the stage, there was also a lot happening. Crowded and
popular workshops took place, including learning about sand mandalas
with the Tashi Lhunpo monks, Mongolian throat chanting
with Michael Ormiston and the kids’ workshop, which was so popular it was extended for the whole afternoon.
The Lhasa Bazaar thronged with people buying yak wool jerseys, prayer
flags, books, cup cakes and taking time out in the healing zone or
having sparkly face painting. The Tibetan medicine exhibition gave a
fascinating glimpse into the history of Tibetan herbal remedies; the
wonderful wool nomad tent had plenty of visitors sampling the
traditional Tibetan tea being served, whilst the art exhibition by
Ugyen Choephell gave visitors a contrast between the intricacies of
Tibetan Thangka paintings and modern day Tibetan art. There were the
Tibetan momos! Always popular, there seemed to be a queue all
afternoon, but the patience of all who waited for the steamers to cope
with the demand was rewarded.
Nearly 400 people wrote birthday messages to the Dalai Lama or requests
regarding Tibet to Prime Minister David Cameron on special windhorses
(paper prayer flags) that fluttered in the sun making a colourful and
moving display. All the messages resonated the underlying warmth of
feeling the Dalai Lama engenders in millions of people around the world.
One child wrote, “I am a big fan, you are so cool”, another from a
visitor from Australia said, “my brother says you are a great human
being”, whilst another simple said, “keep on keeping on!” Many wrote
wishes of long life and of a return to Tibet soon, with one urging,
“please eat healthily and organic and look after yourself as you are
invaluable to us.” The one that perhaps encapsulates most messages
says, “Many happy returns, may you live long and continue to shine your
light and wisdom upon us and help us keep the right frequency on
earth.” All these messages will be sent to the Dalai Lama and David
Cameron.
The Tibet Festival in the Park not only was a wonderfully sunny and
happy day, with everyone enjoying the amazing performances, workshops
and simply relaxing in the sun, but was also a really
great way to celebrate His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 75th birthday.
The Office of Tibet, London, Tibetan Community in Britain, and Tibet
Society of the UK were involved in the Tibetan Commemorative Committee.
–Report filed by Office of Tibet, London